Otter Creek Idea Takes Form
By October 1, 1934, the idea of providing recreation and service areas along the parkway had taken definite form, strides were beginning, and recommendations were shaped through a special report prepared by the Resident Landscape Architect, submitted the following December.
Otter Creek Segregated Water Feature Area Posed
The Otter Creek area was initially selected in 1939 as a proposed development for African Americans. It was selected because of its proximity to certain locations with large black populations, as well as for its location about midway between Shenandoah National Park and the city of Roanoke. This area was almost solid National Forest, and included a lake that could be “constructed at a reasonable cost to provide bathing and fishing.”
Otter Creek Licklog Gap
In March of 1942, Stanley Abbott proposed that the elongated recreational water feature should be located at Licklog Gap, within the George Washington National Forest. However, the United States Forest Service was reluctant to give up the land, posing difficulties for the project.
Otter Creek Reconnaissance
In July of 1942, the NPS again reviewed the Otter Creek section for a possible establishment of a Parkway recreation area.
Otter Creek Plans Resume after WWII
After the end of World War II, and the return of Abbott to the United States, the National Park Service resumed work on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This included further developing plans for the site at Otter Creek.
Otter Creek Facilities
Plans presented in 1944 envisioned a wide range of facilities at Otter Creek instead of at Licklog Gap. These plans included a swimming and fishing area, hiking trails, a campground and picnic area, a restaurant, a bathing station, and a gas station.
Otter Creek Facilities Reexamined
The original plan for Otter Creek included bathing facilities, but these were abandoned by 1944 as being impractical.
Otter Creek Reasons for Location
In 1945, Superintendent Sam P. Weems outlined the reasons why Otter Creek was chosen as a water feature recreational area along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Multiple other locations had been considered, but in this document Weems officially showed his reasoning for choosing Otter Creek over other locations.
Otter Creek List of Potential Facilities
In 1952, a memorandum between the Blue Ridge Parkway superintendent, Sam Weems, and the assistant National Park Service regional director outlined potential recreational features at Otter Creek.
Otter Creek Mission 66 Funds Allocated
A Mission 66 summary, issued in 1956, proposed new visitor accommodations at thirteen locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, including Otter Creek. Visitor accommodations, especially restaurants and gas stations, were perceived as necessary inclusions along the Parkway.
Otter Creek Concessions Company Chosen
In 1958, the Blue Ridge Parkway issued a prospectus to invite bids for accommodations for concession services along the Parkway north of Roanoke, Virginia. This contract was eventually given to the new Virginia Peaks of Otter Company.
Otter Creek Peaks New Gas Station
In 1960, a gas station and lunch room opened at Otter Creek to provide better accommodations for travelers along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Otter Creek Gas Station Closed
In 1984, the gas station at Otter Creek was closed.