Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1935-05-24
Four State Parks Now Being Developed
CCC Units Are
Pushing Work
Fort Macon, Mt. Mitch
ell, Morrow Mountain,
And Cape Hatteras
Being Opened

A<OAtA 0dAO1l11 oOO11 WILL 1ldVC
four State parks that will compare
most favorably with those of any
other state, L. A. Sharpe, regional
of the State Park divi-
sion of the National Park service
announced this week.
Work has been under way at
Fort Macon State park, near More
head City, since April, 1884. 1t
is expected that it will be complet-
ed this summer. A force of ZIG
Civilian Conservation corps men
is at work under the direction of
the National Park service and the
department Of Conservation and
Development.
A tremendous mount of work
has been done at Fort Macon in
efforts to control the shifting sand
dunes and protect the ocean front.
Old Fort Macon is being preserved
and restored and is being made
accessible from Atlantic Beach. A
road is being built along the sound.
Previously, in order to reach Fort
Macon it was necessary to drive
along the beach at low tide or
cross by boat. 1t is hoped that
this new road will eventually be
paved. /
Facilities have been arranged for
the comfort and conveniences of
visitors. Several rooms of the old
fort have been restored to con-
form to various periods of their
history.
At Mount Mitchell State park
the CCC detachment is engaged in
preparing a camp site for a 200
unit CCC company, which is ex-
pected to arrive within the next
two or three weeks. Work at
Mount Mitchell State park during
the present season will be largely
of fire prevention character. The
underbrush and growth will be
cleared, and trails will be provided
for the convenience of visitors.
Mount Mitchell rises 6,711 feet
above sea level and is the highest
peak east of the Rockies.
Morrow Mountain State park, in
the Uwharries near Albemarle, has
been tentatively approved, but for
NAL. approval is expected soon.
When formal approval is received,
work will be started Immediately.
The park already embraces $500
acres, donated to the State in a
large part by ]. M. Morrow and
other public spirited citizens. 1t
includes Morrow mountain and
several surrounding peaks, and in
dications are hat the size of the
park will be considerably increased.
W. B. Beaver is head Of the COM
mittee in charge Of acquisition of
land for the park. Morrow Noun
tain State park may be reached by
following the Badin highway out
of Albemarle for about two miles
and turning to the right as indi-
Gated by a sign. The road leads
to the top of the mountain about
10 miles distant. Bathing, boat
ing and fishing facilities will be
available, as we'll as overnight
camping accommodations.
Formal approval is also awaited
for Cape Hatteras State park in
order that work may be started.
The work will be Of the same gen
eral type as at the other State
parks. Special privileges and con-
veniences for fishermen will be
provided. The park now includes
1900 acres and is accessible by
boat to Buxton or by motor to
IManteo and along the beach at low
tide. 1t embraces the tip of Cape
Hatteras graveyard Of ships" and
the old lighthouse is in the park
area. Unusual scenery and plant
life are found in this park, and 1t is
IA haven for many varieties OF wild
fowl and game. Liberal donations
of land were made to the State by
Frank Stick of Elizabeth City and
the phipps family Of New York
land Palm Beach.
The State park program is one
of the major park Developments OF
the decade. In all instances the
u,ort &c being done by CCC work