Last Updated on August 10, 2026 12:11 pm
The Boone Town Council is set to formally name a bridge on the Boone Greenway the “Rufus Edmisten Bridge” at its August 12 meeting, honoring a native of Boone and Watauga County whose family land is home to a portion of the Greenway along Lower Hardin Creek.
The bridge crosses a tributary of the New River. The resolution cites Edmisten's decades of public service, including his work alongside Senator Sam Ervin, his tenure as North Carolina's 46th Attorney General, and his service as the state's 21st Secretary of State. He was also the Democratic nominee for governor.
The resolution specifically cites Edmisten's role as Attorney General in fighting to secure the New River's designation as a Wild and Scenic River — a designation that protects the river's health and character for future generations. The Greenway bridge that will carry his name spans a tributary of that same river system.
Mayor Dalton George submitted the resolution, which directs town staff to work with Edmisten and other organizations to plan an official dedication ceremony.
Rufus Edmisten, now in his 80s, remains a well-known figure in Boone and Watauga County. His family's connection to the land that now hosts part of the Greenway makes the tribute particularly fitting, the resolution states.
