Friday, September 14, 2012

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

From the publication, Ford Times, Vol 42, No. 10, October 1950:

"There are twenty-eight national parks in the U.S. with some eleven million acres but the nation does not own a single foot of ocean-front beach. In order that people will always be able to walk on a sandy ocean beach, climb windblown dunes and bathe in the surf without trespassing on private property, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Park may be established. The Government is now buying what land along the Banks south from Manteo it can get. Bankers (those who live on the Banks) are not sure they want a National Park on their islands but they are coming to realize that the alternative is to have it turned into a Coney Island sort of thing by private investors. Government men are doing an educational job among the Bankers and report that the Park is a growing possibility."

An historical note: The Cape Hatteras National Seashore was authorized by Congress on August 11, 1937. Because World War II delayed purchase of much of the land the park was not officially dedicated until April 24, 1958.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of midwifery on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082112.htm.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:30 AM

    fascinating considering that is what the control issue is---I guess the key word would be "...to walk on..."

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  2. Anonymous10:57 AM

    they were not sure they wanted a National Park on their Island---their island ?? did they sell their land to the government allowing the creation of a National park? Did they benefit financially from the sale of their land to the Federal Government? Sounds like the NIMBY at first but they then sold their land and everyone thanks Them for selling Their land to Uncle Sam.

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