The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-24
Observation-Disclosures DARE.
Establishment There of Marine and Forest
Park Suggested,

| TO the Editor: | have been very much
interested in whist I have read lately in
the News and Observer about the pro-
posed celebration next summer on Rna-
noke Island. / spent q Sabbath recently
with church on the island and Monday
had an interesting day studying local
history | had of course known since my
early school-boy days that the first child
born Of English parents in America, Vir-
ginia Dare, first saw the light on this
island August 18th, 1887. and had loneed
to visit the spot where the first English
settlement on this continent was uale.
People ought always to be interested in
all local history, but especially so when
1t is important and far-roaching in It's
influence. l remember well the pride that
filed my breast when, as high school
lad, l stood upon Plymouth Rock, q few
miles from my birth place and looked
out over the bay Where the Mayfiower
lay in whose cabin was drawn up the
first compact for civil government the
world has ever seen. So it was with
the deepest interest that | visited the
site Of the old fort and birthplace of Vir-
ginia Dare and the monument erected TO
her memory.
The proposed celebration ought 10 he
on a scale commensurate with the i'm.
portance of the event, and should be
managed in such way as to arouse IN
interest throughout the entire country,
an interest that will result in erecting
larger monument, the restoration, If
possible of the old fort, and the cstab-
fishing of marine and forest park. The
natural features are favorable for such
q y ie in fIao fI1 .t....
of the State which fits it for a marine
park, and there are great forest possi-
bilities on account of the lay of the land
and the variety of native trees.
Within a few rods of the Dare r1onu-
Tent saw fine specimen of the long
leaved pine, the evergreen acorn oak The
Golly and Towering dogwood. This Is a
beautiful and rather unusual combination.
With the development OF the park idea
Roanoke Island could be made the great
summer resort of the South 1t Is a
pleasant four hours ride by steamer from
Elizabeth City to the island, and with
an electric railway from the landing al
Skyco to the park via Manteo it would be
easily accessible. There are vast possi-
bilities and it ought to be at least in
some measure national enterprise for
the coming of the Cavalier to Jamestown
and the Pilgrim Fathers TO Plymouth
Elizabeth City is destined to be the
largest city in Eastern North Carolina if
not in the State. At least present indica-
tions strongly point in this direction.
There will be large population in the
eastern part of the State and south
eastern Virginia that would make such
resort popular, and it would become a
mecca TO the student Of history From
all parts of the United States thousands
would be drawn every year to drink in
that inspiration that always comes from
visiting places where momentous events
occurred Or where great principles and
grand ideas had their birth. With the
Dare, Marine and Forest Park in the
East and the Mckinley Appalachian PARK
in the West, North Carolina will Ana
her natural attractions more and mere
receiving the attention they deserve end
an interesting historical event will re-
ceive constant and merited recognition.
CHARLES FRANCIS MESERyE.