Backroads WV

7 hours ago

A little history of a Virginia portion of US 250.

The Raptor.

The Raptor.

Facebook.com/riThough this old photo was taken 100 years ago, the story of the Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike goes back much further. In the 1830s, the famous French engineer Claudius Crozet (who had served under Napoleon) was given the formidable task of building a road to connect the central Shenandoah Valley with the Ohio River. Construction continued through the 1840s and eventually this superhighway stretched 234 miles across multiple mountains and waterways. Originally, the turnpike was supposed to rise no more than four feet in elevation for every 100 feet of road. As evidenced in these photos, it was a feat even the accomplished Crozet found unachievable--though he ardently tried. In an effort to minimize steep slopes, several switchbacks were required. These photos show a particularly sharp bend on the western slope of Shenandoah Mountain in Highland County. The 1920 picture shows three early automobiles making the arduous climb up the macadamized road from Head Waters to the Augusta County line. A century later, this hairpin turn still exists on Route 250 though the paved road makes for a smoother ride. Guardrails and tree growth also combine to make the steep slope less harrowing. #FBF #VDOT ... See MoreSee Less

Backroads WV

14 hours ago

Pretty much. We do have a few bad apples but we don't like em either... ... See MoreSee Less