In 1809, Henry Tuggle was issued a deed for two-hundred and fifty acres of land along the waters of Rockcastle Creek. In those early days, a wagon trail cut through the land, making the area a prime location for travelers. When Henry died, he passed the land on to his nephews, John and Joshua Tuggle. This geographically exquisite area, with its cold springs and open meadows, has greeted visitors and carried the Tuggle name ever since. Today it is known as Tuggles Gap.
More than a hundred years after that original land-deed was issued, the Blue Ridge Parkway was carving its way from Virginia to North Carolina. In anticipation of the new road passing through Floyd County, General Washington Boyd and Ward Spangler used field stones and fat timbers to construct a small building where route 8 would intersect with the new, scenic Parkway. The year was 1938.
By the time that stretch of the Parkway was completed, the little store and gas station was ready for business. It was a place where travelers could rest and replenish. Borrowing from the identity of the area, Boyd and Spangler called their store Tuggles Gap. These men, however, were more than just business partners. They were family. General Boyd’s daughter, Irene, had married Ward Spangler’s son, George. In the years that followed, George and Irene added the restaurant and motel buildings. They ran the business for almost fifty years while raising their family and living in the basement of the restaurant. This was during the heyday of the Blue Ridge Parkway, before air travel became common. Most Americans stayed close to home for vacations; visiting where they could reach by car.
The restaurant and motel thrived during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The story is often told about it being so busy that the Spanglers ran out of everything but white bread. Such was the hospitality, however, that customers were content to have bread sandwiches for dinner.
Descendants of General Boyd continued running the business until 1985 when it was purchased by retired marine, Bill Mills. In 1992, however, he sold it to Neil Baker. Neil had been encouraged by her daughter, Daryl, and son-in-law, Larry Kreager. In true pioneering spirit, Neil risked her life savings and comfortable life in New Mexico to realize the lifelong dream of owning her own restaurant. Though she had years of restaurant management experience, it was still a huge leap of faith.
After several months, she recruited help from her daughter, Cheri Baker. Cheri had been in the restaurant business for many years in Washington State. In the Fall of 2003, Neil retired, and since then, Cheri Baker has continued to manage Tuggles Gap using her mother’s recipes and credo, “We love to serve you.”
Reminiscent of bygone days, Tuggles Gap still offers weary traveler a home-cooked meal served with a smile and a comfortable place to pass the night. Today, there are two motel buildings, as well as a sixty-seat restaurant, that serve the community of Floyd and its visitors. The inside of the restaurant features thirteen interior doorways created when additions and expansions were built onto the original structure. Amazingly avoiding collisions and spills, the restaurant staff navigate through these narrow passages in a dance that has become known as the Tuggles Gap tango.
The restaurant menu features Southwestern American and traditional American favorites, along with the occasional selection of eclectic specialty dishes. The restaurant is proud to get some of their fresh fruits and vegetables from the area’s farmers, where localized agriculture is a way of life for many. The Tuggles Gap motel is home to twelve comfortable and affordable rooms that are kept fresh and clean for visitors seeking rest. When you stay overnight at Tuggles Gap, you will wake to the smell of fresh coffee and your cooked-to-order breakfast, wafting from the restaurant. For those simply seeking to re-fuel, grab a snack, and get back on the road, Tuggles Gap is still the place to stop. They sell premium and regular unleaded gasoline, as well as a variety of on-the-go snacks and drinks.
Being located just this side of the Floyd/Patrick County line, Tuggles Gap has roots that run deep with Old-Time and traditional Bluegrass music. When you visit on a weekend, you can catch all the great acts that come through! Rock and Blues musicians are typically featured on Saturday, with Bluegrass on Sunday.
On April 11, Tuggles Gap will kick off its 2019 season with their first live-music event featuring The Love Sprockets. This duo was first introduced to Tuggles Gap in the cool spring of 2015, when they bicycled from Vermont to Texas, via Florida, on their bicycle built for two. On that cold and windy night four years ago, they stayed, played their instruments, and sang in the warmth of the dining room. Tuggles Gap invites everyone to come out and enjoy this intrepid musical couple when they return.
Tuggles Gap is sitting atop one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world; in the serenity and beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With its scenic vistas and the pastoral loveliness of its farmlands and orchards, many would consider it paradise. If you close your eyes and listen closely, you can imagine the soft footfalls of long ago.
In addition to its agriculture and farmers, the surrounding area of Floyd is also famous for its artisans. In Early autumn, Tuggles Gap hosts the “Art on the Parkway” festival. If you’d like something to help you remember your stay, they also feature the work of several local artists on premises. For example, there is a framed, charcoal drawing behind the white oak counter near the cash register. The drawing is by talented local artist, Emily Williamson, and was created in a few hours one balmy Autumn day in 1999.
Given today’s homogenized world, visiting Tuggle’s Gap is a breath of fresh air. It is truly unique in its own quaint and quirky kind of way. In a setting rich with history, culture, and un-spoiled landscapes, your Tuggle’s Gap experience is not likely to be forgotten.

Tuggles Gap is located at 3351 Parkway Lane S. in Floyd.
For more information, directions, menus, and events, visit online at http://www.tugglesgap.biz or call 540-745-3402.
You can also follow on Facebook at Tuggles Gap Restaurant & Motel.