The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1929-09-06

But the idea of an Albemarle
Club did not grow out of political
ambition. 1t grew out Of the deye-
loped consciousness of leaders in
these counties that the economic
and social life of every county in
this group is so bound up with the
economic and social life of every
other county in the group, that
they should organize for group ac-
ton in all things affecting the well
fare of the group.
Capt. J. L. Virgins, Mayor Of
Edenton and one of the most pro-
gressive citizens of the Albemarle
has long been imbued with the idea
that the advertising of the natural,
and historic charms and industrial
and economic possibilities of this
region should be undertaken not by
the people of any one city or county
alone, but by all the counties.
The tourist trade is the best bet
for the development of this section.
experts who have stud
led the tourist business find that
the average tourist spends ten dol
lars day wherever he is. He has
to buy gasoline, cylinder oil, food,
drug store sundries, minor changes
of clothing and vast amoutc OF
incidentals and knick knacks. 3,
A factory employing 100 men
with a payroll of $500 day woald
be considered n great asset for a 8
region; Thirty tourists -afe as pfo- :
fitable as such a factory snd 800
tourists equal to ten such factories.
But to draw tourists you've got
to set your stage for them and then
ballyhoo until you get them rolling
your way. Just to the North of us
Virginia is cashing in on Williams
burg, yorktown, Jamestown, Old
Point Comfort and Virginia Beach.
Virginia has taken pains to mark
every historical spot between Vir-
ginia Beach and Williamsburg.
Very few tourists read these mark
ers and few of these markers have
any real significance; but they make
q profound impression upon the
tourist who is persuaded that he is
rolling on hallowed ground He has
to talk about when he
gets back home, altho 80 out Of a
hundred don't know what they are
talking about.
Here in North Carolina we have
Roanoke Island, the cradle Of Anglo
Saxon civilization in America and
he birthplace of Virginia Dare.
The first tobacco smoked by white
men and women came from Roa-
noke Island.
Here we have Kitty Hawk and
Kill Devil Hills, the birthplace of
he most daring invention Of civiliz-
I'd man, the airplane. A great
commemorative of the
iirst airplane flight is to be erected
IN the major Kill Devil Hill and
his great sand mountain itself.
low being blanketed with vcgeta-
ion will be one of the most impress
i've sights in America.
Here we have Edenton, the cradle
If the Albemarle Colony, Bath, the
oldest town in the State. And here
We have the most wonderful water
;capes and the greatest hunting and
fishing on the Atlantic seaboard,
With ten months open air climate.
The Dismal Swamp Canal, Cur
'ituck Sound and its marshes, the
Great Dismal Swamp. Oregon Inlet,
Cape Hatteras and all the intriguing
and the flora of one of
he most fertile regions in the world.
Ill are bait for tourists once they
ire advertised.
Surely this is an enterprise to be
by all the counties, be-
;ause all will share in the results.
And the cost distributed over many
counties will not burden any one.
But 1t is not in advertising alone
hat these counties should combine
heir resources for mass action.
from Elizabeth City to Kitty Hawk
and the coast is a distance OF So
niles. This distance can be short
,ned by IL or IS miles by a more
iirect road from Camden C. II. via
Did Trap and across North River
,elow Coinjock. This direct IUute
would make the coast that much
learer every county in the AlbenIarle
But the State Highway Commission
S not going to hurry that road IIor
S it going to hurry the paving OF
many other necessary projects in
his region until there is an o. an
zed fight for them.
And so instead Of d lew si.arp-
hooters and snipers here and there
Continued D. nae3 H.