Evening star., 1942-03-26
William {. Carson,
Founder Of Virginia
Park System, Dies
Lime Firm Heads Work
Set Up Shenandoah
National Preserve
BY the Associated Press.

FRONT ROYAL, Va. March 26.-
William E. Carson, 71-year Vir-
ginia industrialist whose leadership
brought about establishment of the
Shenandoah National Park, died at
his home near here last night.
His family, which was at the bed
side when death came, set the
funeral for pm. tomorrow at the
home.
Mr.. Carson, who operated the
Riverton Lime & Stone Co. which
his father established. was chairman
of the Virginia Conservation Com
mission from 1926 to 1884 and in
that capacity directed the job of
setting up the park which was
dedicated by President Roosevelt at
Big Meadows, Va, in July, 1896.
Praised by Leaders.
For that financial and land
acquisition work, which was accom-
plished with approximately 50 ,000, 900
appropriated by the State and sub
scribed by private citizens, he earned
the praise of President Hoover and
others in high positions. There was
no citizen living in Virginia. said
Gov. Pollard in 1882. to whom the
State was more indebted than it was
to Mr. Carson
He had been in failing health for
several months, and seriously i'll for
the last week. His two daughters,
Mrs. Thomas D. Ferguson and Mrs.
Warren Webster Whitside, jr., had
joined their mother at home before
their father died.
In his own field of industry Mr..
Carson won distinction. He helped
organize and was president of the
National Lime Manufacturing Asso-
citation from 1903 to 1920, and was
chairman of the World War Service
Committee on Lime. which func-
toned under the War Industries
Board.
Although the establishment of the
Shenandoah Park and the COM
mencement of the Federally-built
Skyline Drive were principal
achievements of his eight years as
Virginia's first conservation commits
sioner. he also is remembered by
Virginians as the father of its sys-
tenn of parks, now numbering six.
Helped Preserve Shrines.
He also was a pioneer and leading
spirit in the setting up of the Colo
nial National Historic Monument
under which the Federal Govern
ment took over the care of shrines
about Williamsburg, Yorktown and
Jamestown. He had hand in the
establishment of the system of his
torial roadside markers; reorganized
the State forestry and geological de-
partments, and established Mr..
Hoover's Rapidan camp. He served
as commissioner without salary.
A native of Enniskillen, Ireland,
where he was born October 8, 1870,
he came to Warren County in child
hood with his parents. His father
established his home on a site over
looking the Shenandoah at River
ton. Mr.. Carson continued to make
his home in the section throughout
most of his life.
AS a Democrat he headed the
Seventh District Committee between
1910 and 1910 and managed Harry
Byrds campaign for Governor in
1925. Appointed then by Gov. Byrd
to be conservation commissioner, he
stepped out of the chairmanship in
1884 after the body had been re-
organized and changed from five to
seven members. He explained he
would be unable to give his full
time to it.
He was a member of the Hampton
Roads Port Commission from 1923
to 1927.
He is survived by his widow, two
daughters and a brother, Charles
w. Carson of Woodstock.