Minutes of Meeting in the Office of Senator Byrd
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
Petty, F. P. (Mrs.)
RG 79, National Park Service, Central Classified File, 1933-1949 (Entry #7), National Parkways, Blue Ridge, Decimal #0-38, Box 2711, National Archives, Washington, DC. Copy here was obtained from RG 5, Series 44, Box 59, Folder 92, Blue Ridge Parkway Archives, Asheville, NC.
1933-10-17
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Letter from R. Getty Browning to George L. Radcliffe
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
Letter in support of North Carolina's proposal for the Blue Ridge Parkway route.
Browning, R. Getty, 1884-1966
1934-06-01
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Report: Proposed Locations, Shenandoah-Great Smoky Mountains National Parkway, to Chief Landscape Architect, National Park Service
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
Abbott, Stanley W.
RG 79, National Park Service, Central Classified File, 1933-1949 (Entry #7), National Parkways, Blue Ridge, Decimal #0-38, Box 2711, National Archives, Washington, DC.
1934-06-08
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Work on Scenic Parkway Link to Begin Very Soon
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
This is a THURSDAY. Says "the first work toward the construction of the first link of the Park-to-Park Scenic highway began Wednesday morning [September 11, 1935], when a few men were employed by the contractor to assist in unloading and moving machinery to Low Gap, where the first dirt will be moved.
"It is understood that steam shovels will begin moving dirt there on next Monday morning [September 16, 1935]. Several car loads of machines were expected in Galax, Va., Wednesday. Mr. Johnston, who is Superintendent for the contractor who has the contract for the construction of the first twelve miles, has already moved to Sparta.
"It is understood that about 110 men will be employed. The contract allows one year for the construction of the first 12 mile, but it is understood that the contractor expects to complete it in 200 working days."
Alleghany Times
1935-09-12
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Parkway Started Monday Above Lowgap
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
Talking about beginning of construction on Parkway -- a really nice description of that first day. Header notes that Virginia part "must wait for meeting of its legislature." Says that more than 100 men started work on the Parkway at NC-VA line on that Monday morning on first section, the contract being awarded to Nello Teer company of Durham. "The men were secured from the relief and unemployment roll of Alleghany County, with a representative of the unemployment office of Winston-Salem on hand personally Monday morning to see that the contractor was provided with sufficient labor from the proper source. As this project is a relief measure all labor as far as possible must be secured from the relief and unemployment rolls."
Says that the first job given to the men was to clear off the "200 foot right of way" [sic]. "Work was started where the Parkway crosses the Lowgap-Sparta road at the Lyons brick house." Clearing timber and growth. Other men unloading and assisting in "getting a huge dirt shovel from the railroad siding at Galax to the scene of operations." "On thing noticeable about the work is that all material and machinery with which to work have been purchased new." Describes the huge shovel which was diesel powered and cost about $25,000. "Numerous caterpillar tractors are on hand and about a dozen large dump trucks will haul the dirt away from the shovel."
Says that engineers from state and federal governments are on hand to supervise. "The foremen on the job say the grading will not be of any extreme heavy character since the survey of the route has followed the contour of the mountain, making long sweeping curves, and avoiding deep cut and high fills. The preliminary survey established a base or center line from which to work and it is said the final survey of the highway has not varied from this first line more than 200 feet."
Says that delay over right-of-way acquisition in VA is happening due to fact that VA highway commission doesn't have authority to acquire land for Parkway purpose thru eminent domain. NC legislature passed needed laws for this early in 1935, but VA legislature doesn't meeting till early 1936 to consider such.
Says that the Lowgap section of the Parkway will have a 50-foot roadbed and 20-foot roadway, with rock surfacing now and another top coating to be added later under another contract. Ends by saying that now that work is underway and the road located, the National Park Service landscape architects are planning for preservation, beautification, and development of the road.
Mt. Airy News
RG 5, Series 44, Box 54, Folder 1, Blue Ridge Parkway Archives, Asheville, NC
1935-09-19
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Letter from J. P. Dodge to Capus Waynick
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
Letter addressing Parkway construction start date:
"Representing you and the people of the State of North Carolina, I ordered the first breaking of ground on the first project of the Shenandoah- Great Smoky Mountains National Parkway on ThAVsday, September 19, 1935, at the Low Gap of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The work is progressing."
Dodge, J. P.
Browning Papers, Box 1, Series 1, Folder 1, Blue Ridge Parkway Archives, Asheville, NC
1935-09-21
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Letter from S. A. Miller to Franklin D. Roosevelt
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
Letter from an Ashe County, NC landowner to Roosevelt regarding land acquisition for the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Miller, S. A.
RG 79, National Park Service, Central Classified File, 1933-1949 (Entry #7), National Parkways, Blue Ridge, Decimal 600, Box 2731, National Archives, Washington, DC
1937-01-07
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Obids, NC
Blue Ridge Parkway News (May 1940 Issue)
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
On issue of the Blue Ridge Parkway News discussing concessions bids, regulations for use of Parkway, construction updates, etc.
Office of the Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service
RG 79, National Park Service, Central Classified File, 1933-1949 (Entry #7), National Parkways, Blue Ridge, Decimal #0-38 - 201, Box 2715, National Archives, Washington, DC
1940-05-00
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Grandfather Mountain: Shall It Be Saved?
Grandfather Mountain (N.C.)
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
Kelsey, Harlan P. (Harlan Page), 1872-1958
Article from Harlan P. Kelsey describes the threats posed by timbering to Grandfather Mountain and urges federal takeover to halt its possible destruction.
Kelsey, Harlan P. (Harlan Page), 1872-1958
Planning and Civic Comment
American Planning and Civic Association
1944-04-00
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110 Men to Begin Work on Parkway Road at Once
Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C. and Va.)
Newspaper account addressing impending start of Blue Ridge Parkway construction.
Skyland Post
1935-09-05
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