Construction of the parkway began in 1935 with the initial plan calling for a viaduct given the effects that a traditional cut-and-fill road would have on Grandfather Mountain. Towering almost , this mountain is the most rugged peak on the Blue Ridge and geologically the most ancient mountain on the North American continent.
The development of the parkway started in 1935, with an initial plan featuring a viaduct to mitigate the negative effects that a traditional road would have on Grandfather Mountain. This mountain is nearly towering , being the most rugged peak on the Blue Ridge and the geologically oldest mountain on the North American continent.