Pine Spur Fight to Acquire Malcolm Property
In 1935, two landowners held up land acquisition in the area because they were attempting to receive $10,000 in compensation for their 86 acres of land on the bend of the parkway.
Pine Spur Land Acquisition
In December of 1935, the Resettlement Administration’s sub-marginal lands program provided money to states to work on approved state projects. It was through this program that land was acquired for Pine Spur.
Pine Spur Land Acquisition Plan
The land that was desired for Pine Spur was divided into a multitude of different, uneven tracts that were owned by many different families. After lengthy negotiations, all the desired land was acquired. Since almost nothing was ever constructed for the area, the land remains in the same condition now as it was when acquired.
Pine Spur Park Plans in 1945
To continue the process of creating a major recreational area for black visitors at Pine Spur, Park Service officials proposed a sandwich shop for the southern end of the park in 1940.
Pine Spur Plan for Gas Station and Restaurant
In 1940, a master plan was drawn for Pine Spur indicating how the acquired land would be used. The two largest features of the plan were a segregated gas station and restaurant. These amenities, however, were not constructed prior to WWII nor were they built when the plans for Pine Spur were revisited as part of the Mission 66 initiative.
Pine Spur Directional Signs
In addition to creating plans of what was to be built in the Pine Spur recreation area, blueprints of the proposed roads and flow of visitors were drawn. In 1941 a detailed plan for the signage of Pine Spur was created that indicated how many signs would be placed for each feature. This illustrates what the designers of the recreational area thought would be the main attractions for the site because some features have several more signs pointing to their location than others.
Pine Spur Play Swings and Tables
In 1941, swings and picnic tables were installed as a start of the Pine Spur recreational area.
Pine Spur Negro Recreation Area
In 1946, Superintendent Sam P. Weems proposed to the Park Service Regional Director to continue to use the land at Pine Spur for a recreation area for African-American visitors. Although details are not available, it is evident that Weems did not win this proposal as later master plans indicate Pine Spur to be a recreation area with no mention of the race of its visitors.
Pine Spur Water Usage Plans
In 1958, correspondence between the Blue Ridge Parkway superintendent, Sam Weems, and NPS Region One’s Regional Director detailed the proposed acquisition of a 37-acre tract of land owned by the Nichols family. Acquiring this tract of land would provide the park with access to three springs.
Pine Spur Proposed Campground
To continue the process of creating a major recreational area at Pine Spur, a campground was proposed 1958 as part of the Mission 66 imitative.
Pine Spur Malcolm Section Built
In 1960, the parkway was built directly through the middle of the two landowners’ property after a lengthy battle to acquire the land. The land was necessary in order for the desired road to run through the park. The land also contains an African American cemetery.
Pine Spur Gravesite
Slightly off the main road running through Pine Spur, there is an African American cemetery. The details of who, where, and when the individuals were buried are uncertain, but by the amount of stones that were used as gravestones it is clear that it was used by many. Currently, the cemetery is still visible, but there are no signs indicating its location.