N.C. 181 west of Pineola 1928 Gen Draft

N.C. 181 rerouted to Newland 1930 Official

In late 1934, NC 181 was extended southwest replacing NC 19 to end at US 176 Tryon.
In 1940, NC 181 from Tryon to Rutherfordton became NC 108. THe route through Rutherfordton had been Ridgecrest north to Pine to Mitchell to W. Court east to then-US 74 N. Washington St.

NC 19 Rutherfordton to Tryon 1935 Gen Draft

NC 181 Rutherfordton to Tryon 1935 Gen Draft

NC 108 replaces NC 181 1940 Official

Also in 1940, NC 181 from Rutherfordton to Morganton was renumbered as US 64-A (now US 64 and US 64 Bus). The highway was also removed from Salem Rd below Morganton around this time.

N.C. 181 extended to Ruth 1929 Official

N.C. 181 replaced by US 64-A 1946 Official

Between 1969-82, NC 181 was split into one-way streets in Morganton - NB used the original route on Green St while SB used Sterling St - as NC 181 was extended to US 64-70 Bus and a rerouted NC 18 which were all using Union and Meeting Sts.
NC 181 in Morganton was cut back to rerouted NC 18 Green St.
In 1990, NC 181 was rerouted to the west of Linville, leaving behind Linville Av and a rerouted US 221.

N.C. 181 through Linville 1968 Avery County

N.C. 181 bypasses Linville 2009 Avery County

From a hard-driving standpoint, 181 is an excellent hillclimb road. First, it's quite long. The ascent's about 15 miles, with a couple of brief descents thrown in before the road resumes its climb. The curves themselves range from sweeping to moderately tight, but there's nothing nasty and there are (or should be) no harsh surprises. Unless you've got a Testarossa or something you won't be straying too far from the speed limit, always a plus. While 181 is no BRP, the visibility and scenery on 181 are superb, with Grandfather Mountain always looming in the distance -- this isn't one of those secluded mountain roads with all switchbacks and little scenery. Best of all, the extra hillclimb (and hill-descent) lanes allow plenty of opportunities to politely blow by the slower folk. And once you get to the top, you have plenty more entertainment options: Linville Falls, The Parkway, Grandfather Mountain, Boone, Blowing Rock. Your call.

Mile markers are posted on 181 where it ascends the Blue Ridge. Their existence is unusual in several ways, firstly because 181 is one of the very few surface roads in the state that has them. Also, no mile markers are posted near Morganton. The mile markers start a few miles north of town, and the first one is Mile 13 (increasing northbound). But at "Mile 13" it's much less than 13 miles to 181's southern terminus!
181 slices through the Pisgah National Forest as it ascends the Blue Ridge. The road's elevation ranges from 1200 feet in Morganton to almost 4000 feet just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The road runs right alongside the Parkway for the better part of a mile.