Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the NaLional Archives

DEPARTMENT OF THE ~NTERIOE - · .. l>ln.tional Park Service - ~aehingtoa ~~~---·- DANIEL BOONE NAT'L. FOREST PARK PROPOSED

File No. 0- 32 Part One.

PROPOSED NATIONAL PARK

DANIEL BOONE NAT'L FOREST PARK

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LAST DATE ON TOP Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

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.._,.,.,,,,. ?'r'o? ~~~c\ ?ar\,, DANIEL BOONE NATL. FOREST PARK, N. C.

LOCATION: Includes Government orr;ned lands lying along the Blue Ridge, Craggy Gardens, Mt. Mi tchell Range, and including Linville Gorg~ and the National Forest between that area and Blowing Rock, lying along the base of .

HISTORY AND REMARKS : Brought to the Director's attention by Col. D. W. Adams, Old Fort, N.· c. and the Hon . Maurice H. Thatcher. It is being promoted locally by Col. Adams, and is being proposed to be administered by the Forest Service. No legislation is known to have been introd:uc·ed in Congress as yet. This is• being considered ·as a Na tional Forest Park under the Forest Servic~ and s~all not be considered as a PERSONS proposed park under this .Service. INTERESTED: Col. D. W. Adams, Old Fort, N. C. Hon . Maurice H. Thatcher Mrs . Teresa H. Cobb, Louisville, Ky.

STATUS: Awaiting legislation in Congress.

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f'md Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

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M.H.THATCHER M EMBER / 5TH DrSTRJCT KENTUCKY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITrjfr / CONGRESS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

500 HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D. C.

Mr. A. E. Demaray, Senior Assistant D ire~tor, ~ . ational Park Service, Wa shington, D. c.

My dear Mr. Direct or :

Herewith find 11 Proposal f or De.nie1 Boone Nat ional Forest Park11 about wh ich I s poke to you this after n oon.

I will be glad to have any information you may have on the subject which might be of interest.

Sincerely yours,

., Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

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PROPOSAL

for Danlel Boone National Forest Park ---

A great National forest P a rk to be under the. administration of the F or.estry Service of the . Depa rtment of Agriculture, to 1nc1ude the scenically beautiful territory of Government~ owned . lands lying .along the Blue Ridge, Craggy Gardens, Mt. Mitchell R ange, and in~ eluding Linville Gorge and the National For ~ est between that .a rea and Blow ing Rock lying along the base of the Grandfather Mountain. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

... "-'MEMORANDUM SUBJ ECT National Forest Park

Those who were interested in the project at the time, doubtless remember that back in 1905 to 1910, we were all working for what was then known as the Appalachian Park system to be located in Western , Eastern Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and North Georgia. We spent our time and money without hope of reward, more than the establishment of a National Park. What we got how­ ever, when the Weeks bill finally passed was a system of National forests, instead of National P arks. li:' is now felt by many supporters of the park movement that we are entitled t o at least one National Park, out of a g1·oup of five National forests, therefor e, the following data is submitted. for your consideration in the form of a working plan. It is proposed to convert all the government o·.vncd land .between Highway No. 69 on the North, Highviay No. 10 on the So.nth, Blowing Rock on the East and .A:::;:1eville, on the West into a National For­ est Park to be known as the DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST PARK. This to be in commemora­ tion of the name of that famous frontiersman, also c Jrryi1~g the idea that it has both the elements of a National Park and a National Forest. It will, therefore, be a cross on a National P ark and a National Forest, and i i; will retain all the advantages of both the Fo1·est and Park Services and none of the dis· advantages of either. It will be aan:iinistered wholly by the officials of the Forest Service of the Depart­ ment of Agriculture, and is not to be confused in any manner with the National Parks administered by the Park Service under the Interior Department.

AID OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE SOLICITED It is felt that if the Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade of the towni> of Asheville, Black Mountain, Montreat, Old Fort, Marion, Lenoir, Blowing Rock, Boone, Linville City,. Newland, Banner Elk, Elk Park, Spruce Pine, and Burnsville will become interested, they can make each of the several tovn1s mentioned a gateway into a great National Forest Park. The matter should be presented by a committee and such petitions as may be thought necessary t o thJ chief forester through the Supervisor of the of Asheville, and have Congress if ne~essary enact needed legislation to the end that all of that vast and scenically beautiful territory of Government O\.vne

FOREST PARK ROADS .BUILT BY FEDERAL PRISONERS

Fortunately there is a movement well under way to use s'.10rt term federal prisoners in bui l

THE ONLY NATIONAL FOREST PARK iN THE UNITED STATES g This would be the only National Forest Park in the United States, and it is believed that it should be properly named Daniel Boone National Forest P «trk. All other National Parks ::ire administered by the Park Service, and it will be, not only an attractive innovation, but in my judg·ment a much mo1·e effi­ ciently maintained pa1·k and will have no entrance toll fees as is commonly c!'Jargecl by the National Parks.

NATURAL RESOURCES NOT TIED UP AS IN 1REGULAR NATIONAL PARKS Unlike the National P arks, in the proposed N.lt ional Forest Parks, hunting, fis:1ing, timber sales, gathering of shrubbery, mining, and the davelopmen'; of water powe1'. and such oi;he;.· economic us0s shall Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS OF APPROVAL TAKE.N FROM A NUMBER OF LETTERS OF OUR LEADING CITIZENS:

"I wish to congratulate you on this move. ·"I think your proposition is the most im­ The general scheme is one of the best portant that has ever been made for Wes­ things I have heard of in a long time. It un­ tern North Carolina and will result in con­ doubtedly offers wonderful possibilities, tinuing good, not only for North Carolina and it seems to me to be thoroughly practi­ but for the entire South for all time. The cable, and we ought to be able to put it best of the plan is that it is easily put into across. - ***and you have certainly select­ effect, that it costs comparatively nothing, ed the right location." and the psychological moment has arrived R. L. Gwyn for its consummation." Lenoir, N. C. Hugh McRae, Pres. Southeastern Council, Wilmington, N. C. "This great project has my full cooper­ ation and support. I will put through any legislation that may be necessary to bring "Everyone to whom I have talked in re­ the plans to a successful conclusion." gard to this matter seems to be enthus­ I iastic over the prospect of putting this pro­ Robert R. Reynolds, position through, I feel more encouraged Candidate for U. S. Senate, every day." Asheville, N. C. ·I Albert R. Bauman, Secretary '! Mountain Retreat Association, "I am very much interested in your pro­ Montreat, N. C. position and while I do not know anything about the practical working of your plan I do t hink it would be a wonderful thing " * •:• ·~ in extending my congratulations for this section of the country." for your splendid plan I am, I'm sure, ex­ pressing the sentiment of all the club Ottis Greene, Mayor women in the State." Asheville, N. C. Mrs. Mary C. Graybeal, Pres. 2nd. District, North Carolina " - '~''':' in a public matter of this kind F ederation of Women's Clubs. which is for the benefit of our beloved i commonwealth, I shall do all I can to aid .i you and other patriotic citizens who have "I am particularly interested in your ex­ undertaken this good work." cellent plan for the Daniel Boone National ·I Forest Park. I know every inch of it. It is \ Hon. Heriot Clarkson located on my old stamping ground, so to ·1 of Supreme Court, speak. It will be of untold value to this I Raleigh, N. C. whole section of the country, and you have I my whole hearted support in bringing it to "W hile I am not familiar with the land a successful conclusion. If there is any leg­ owned by the National Government, men­ islation necessary, please let me know." tioned in your paper, it appears to me that Hon. Zebulon Weaver, your proposition is well worth while and Member of Congress, has m uch merit." Asheville, N. C. F . E. Likes, Pres. Civitan International, "No movement in the last few years has Asheville, N. C. met with more universal favor than has the one to extend and expand the human usefulness of our public landed domain. Is "We have read with a great deal of inter­ there any good reason why our National est your article, "National Fo1qest Park'" Forest Service should not feature the re­ which appeared in the August 4, 1932, ed­ creational use as well as a timbering service ition of the Morganton News-Herald. At of areas under their jurisdiction in the in­ the same time, we were a little disappoint­ terest of a greater public welfare? This is ed that our place was not mentioned. We the dominant thought actuating the move­ feel that we have one of the coming resort ment to create the Daniel Boone National places in this section." Forest Park." · Edgar H. Tufts, Mgr. Dr. Lucius B. Morse, Pres. Pinnacle Inn, Chimney Rock Company, Banner Elk, N. C. Chimney Rock, N. C. I l Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

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be permitted, r egulated by scientific forestry methods in this case rather than tied up against public use as in the case of the National Parks. The fact that a large portion of the adjoining land is ownedby a num­ ber of individuals ana small homesteaders does not in any manner detract from the scenic and tourist value of the whole, but on the· ot her hand adds a needed touch of human inter est. The present game re­ fuges within the area would be maintained and thoroughly stocked. '! No privately owned land in t he general boundaries will be affected one way or the other, except to become much more valuable owing to the proximity of the park. It is planned however, that privately owned land may be put under park supervision by a cooper ative agreement for any specified length of time, to the end that while the title will remain in the owner's name to sell and manage as he sees fit, yet he may secure great a dvantages thereby in protection against forest fires and trespass.

BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR RESORTS Such beautiful resort settlements as Blowing Rock, Linville City, P1nola, the Marmon Estate, fish hatchery and lake, Montreat, Linville Falls, Altapass, Little Switzerland, , Lake Tahoma, Lake Refuge, the Geyser, and. the mysterious Brown Mountain lights, only add to the attractiveness and con:­ venience to tourists. If all such places were eliminated and it was solid wilderness, such resorts would have to be replaced at a great expense of time andmoney. Without making a specific comparison, there is not a more beautiful park site t han this in the United S~ates . Think of what it would mean to the towns and the country people, beginning with Ashe­ ville, situated between two great parks, Black Moun tain, Ridgecrest, Old F ort, Marion, Morganton, Le­ noir, Boone, Banner Elk, Newland, Elk Park, Crossnore, Spruce Pine, Burnsville, and Blowing Rock, all situated on one of the principal entrances and all in North Carolina, and each on one of the Park to Par k Highways.· These towns would flou1·ish and grow like a green bay tree.

COL. PRATT'S APPALACHIAN SCENIC HIGHWAY A few years ago, Col. Pratt and his associates planned and partly constructed the Appulachian scenic highway along the crest of the Blue Ridge through this proposed park area. No doubt the for­ estry officials would therefore, accommodate at least a portion of its proposed forest road system at the expense of the feder al government to develop the scenic beauty along the cr est of the Blue Ilidge from Linville Falls to Altapass, Little Switzerla1id, Buck Creek Gap, Green Nob, and the Pinnacle (the highest peak in the Blue Ridge) and by acquiring t he two Mt. Mitche.ll moto ~· r~ads on to Mt. Mitchell Peak (the highest mountain in Eastern America) and from that point through the Mt. Mitchell State Park on to th\! wondei·ful Craggy Gardens and connect with the scenic mountain hig:1way, leading into Asheville. Refcning to the highways, and points of interest in this area, as outstanding foatures of scenic IJeauty, there is nothing to com.pare with Highway No. 104 around beautiful Lake Tahoma through Buck Creek Gap and down Toe River, to Micaville and the Winding Stair Highway No. 28 out of Marion to Linville Falls, Linville City and Yonahlassc Road around the Grandfather to Blowing Rock, t he Mt. Mii.chell mG~or road from Black Muntain to Camp Alice and the Mt. Mitchell trail with its wonclerful scenery, the historic Big Tom Wilson road from Burnsville to the top ·of Mt.Mitchell, passing the Blue Sea Pools, and wonderful waterfalb and cascades on Cane River, state tourist highway No. 105, winding around Lake Jam es, by the Pinnacle, traversing the west rim of t he Linville George, presenting in proLlc Short Off, Table Hock, the Hawks Bill, and Chimney Top, looking over the escarpment of the Linville Gorge, thousands of feet below into the only bcxed canyon in eastern America. Then we have High­ way No. 181 from Morganton to Newland, passing Brown Mountain with its mysterious lights, t he Loving Hotel, Turtle Top Peak, and Rattle Snake Ridge, from which the lights can best be seen; on to Pinola, the Marmon Estate, lake and fishery, and finally the matchless gem of the Southern Appalachian Mou;1- tains: Linville City. Then from Lenoir, Highway No. 17 crossing the lake and Blue Ridge to Elowinr~· Rock and Boone; suc~1 celebrated reso4!ts and points of interest as need no fu!·tlier comment, the Hoyal Go1·ge trave~·sed on No. 10 Highway between Ridgecrest ~md Old Fort, "vith Point Lookout as an o u ~­ standing fea~m:e , will add greally to the scenic interost of the proposed park.

GREAT FINANCIAL .BENEFIT TO HOTELS, FARMERS, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES Regardles·s of local conditions, the tourists have always been an inexhaustible somce of r ever;uc and has also been catered to in preference to any other industry by other co untries and by many that have much le·3s natural adva.nta:;cs than ours. In confirmation, the following is a news item from the press : Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives ·.

"TOUR1..,f TRADE HIT LEAST BY DEPRESS10N :MONTREAL, July 2.-Describing Canada's tourist trade as the 'iii visible export' of the Dominion, t he Dominion bmea·u of statistics issued a repoit shov;: ing that this industry has suffered less than almost any other in the general economic slump." The following is an excerpt from an editorial in the Charlotte Observer, under date of July 13, 1932, evi_dently from the pen of the Hon. Wade Harris, himself, under the caption-BEYOND THE BLUE ·RIDGE- ':' * '" "in the meantime North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia, should and will find a way to cany the story of the ·aelightful summer cool!lGSS and the grandeur of scenery in the south­ e1·11 App.alachians including the Blue Ridg·e and the Great Smoky Moun­ tains National Park, to the hundreds of thousands of people of .wealth in the South, the Mississippi Valley, the Midwest, and the East \v.ho will bring- untold millions of dollars into the section a·3 t hey come to enjoy America's finally but lately discovered playground, North Carolina , with

its unmatched system of mountain hir.:hways, ought to take the 1lead in making known to. the outside world this mighty asset, which if properiy exploited would bring moi·e wealth to t he state than all its cotton farms or cotton factories, important as they are." There is no question but th a~ at times of such great national crisis, it is up to each separate town, city, county and state to wor k out its salvation, and this is a rare opportunity for the towns named to do so. Farmers, market gardeners, mer~h ants and hotels wo ul d be greatly benefited by t he tourist trade. If the civic organizations of the towns involved in this project would pool their activities with such a powerful organization as the city_, of Asheville has, we can in a s'.1 ort time snap out of our difficulties and our radio stations could then announce : · . . "This is W . W . N. C. at Asheville, at the eastern entrance of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and at t he westem entr ance of the Greater Daniel Boone Na ti on al Forest Parle" All constructive criticisms 0f and suggestions. to this working plan are sol i cite~ r by Col. D. W. Adams, Old Fort, North Carolina. August 10, 1932. D. W. A. Old Fort, N. C.

THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS OF APPROVAL. TAKEN- FROM A NUMBER OF LEJ'T~ RS OF OUR LEADING CITIZENS:

"It is a great idea. The area you have in "Your idea is unique and the angle that mind is equal to any in Eastern America, to you put on this proposit ion is very good put it mildly.'" indeed and the location of the proposed park i·3 scenically beyond comparison." James G. K. McClure, Jr. President and General Mgr. Crawford F. J ames, Farmers Federation, Candidate for Congress, Asheville, N. C. Marion, N. C.

~ "I consider your pape1: on Daniel ·Boone " I now thoroughly understand the Daniel National Forest Park the most valuable Boone National Forest Park plan and I as­ contribution for public welfare that has sure you I am for it one hundred percent." ever come to my attention." · · J. G. Sti'ikeleather, · J. Q. Gilkey, District Mgr. Chairman of Special Committee Conservation Commi t~ee, Chamber of Commerce, Marion, N. C. '. Asheville, N. C. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

IN ANSWERING REFER TO

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

WASHINGTON

llon. lt, a. Tha.'Goher, .tkruee ot Rap"t-eee.ntative1;h

Deat" tar.., Thatcher: /'',... /' I tit;d I o•e you a sincere apclogy for not previously aeknow1edgind /"" receipt of your lette~ of August 24 a,~d :tts inelosve ttf>roposal for ~nfti-­ Jloetie~l.,_l~~tt~.r ~ktt. Yourlette:r got sidetr-aesed wt th SG>!ie p A1&l"S air!t- has lust c~ to light.

:t dcn•t think there i J? "f'er.t mttQh. :t 06Jn' awq about tM.fl pr opo$al f or a ~a ticnal f ci"est puk.. !t seems te b$ a f.tort. of hfbd.d. atfe.ir. Appar&nt­ l:r they ~'ant a nati<0n&l tor.,st with &ll or the pi>i"Vate '!).!!e, hunting, ate6 that i¢1 ~ermitted in ~ aation.nl forest end in addition '?!ar+t the ~Be of the nee "park" which is like the trad-e 111arlt ~Sterli:ng 11 ()n ailver. With kind e ~ t x.-agard:l, I wn .,

A. E. Demara.1' Acti~g Directo-r~ Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives ·.

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TERESA H. COBB. General Agent U NION, S. C. P. 0. Box 345

October 5, 1 ~32 •

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Department of Interior, WasL ington; D. C.

Gen tlemen :

I und erstc. nd t hat the Government is taking steps to estb.blish a National :Fe r ~:: t o be kno\-rn as the Dan i el Boone Purk, up t hrough the Li nvi lle Falls, Boone section of North Carolina.

Kindly l et ~e h eEr from yau rel~lve to this propos ed pa rk , and advise whether I ha ve been correctly i nformed . I sine ere ly trust that this: i s tilZue , as I O Wi1 proµerty i 11 tha t section and long since not.iced the need for Government protecti on.

Thanking you fo:c an e~t rl y repl y , I am , Yours very t .ruJ.y , • ~ - ~, µ~ • Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

I N A NSWERING REFER TO

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

WASHINGTON

1~.t ••• \ CLi ... ;t

Mra. Teresa .a.. Cobb, General .Agent, Oonimonwealth Life ~nsuranCll Co.) P. o,, 130~ 345,_ Un1on:t s. o. v Dea:r Mrs., 0()bb.&

· l hnve your lette1• of October 5 making Uiquiq in l'egard to the proposed Daniel Be1'ne Nat1on...u Forest Pa :i.~k. Our underatB.llding of thi-s project is that it is being pi-omoted locally by Col~ D. w. Adams, Ol d Furt, N. O ~ The pr~jeet follo"a the uutli~e 0£ aational f o~est reservations but apparently they Wish to ta.ck on the name lfpark". While it ia proposed that thin ~raa would be admlnutsred by the U,. a. ~'ol!'Get Sorvic.:e ot the Dapsrtmont of Agrloulture1 if authoritad nnd eatabliahetl.J s-0 far a~ thin Qff:i.cc kn<1>v-'t no legislation hns been introduced in Congr~ss. ' Sinearely y~>'urs,

(!=I GD.) A E. DE«MAF,f... 7

A. E, Der..mray 1 Senior A~sista.nt Direct~r. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

COPY

DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST PP~LK .ASSOCIATION

Ol d Fort, N. C. June 21 , 1935

Mr. L. A. Sharpe, Regional I nsp. National Par k Service Ch~trlotte , N. C.

Dear Mr. Sharpe:

Shortly after you left, my former secret~.ry Miss Viola Grant, came to the office and found the enclosed Daniel Boone Ne:.t i onal Forest P:.::.rk Ste:.tionery, and I hasten to send some extra sheets to go nith the proposal plan which I gave you, since the names appearing on the meirgin fl.re i n part the people who ei.re in p&.rt the people who are backine, the project and will doubtless be of interest to you and your associates . Please do not forget to make it known to the Park officials that I am first, l ast and always i n favor of this proposed National Park being 1:1 dministered wholly by the Park Service . The proposal that t his park area be administered by the Forest Service ' was ma.de only for the reason that we had hoped that the Forest Service would turn the ground over to the public as a National Forest Park, provided it retained the administr ation of it.

I am now of the opinion , ho\';ever, that the President would, if the matter were ca:).led to his attention by the chief of our Park Service through the Secretary of the Interi or, sign a proclamation transferring the area from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Interior andljgrant us the favor of retaining the name of Dhniel Boone National Park.

Wi ll you please, t herefore, kindly forward this l ett er with the proposal plan atta.ched through the proper channels that it may reach Mr. Camerer, believi ng and hoping t f:lat he will make the necessary endorsement favor- ing the project to the Secretary of Interior. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the Nalional Archives

DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST PARK ASSOCIATION

Your hearty cooperation i n this most important matter will be tremendously appreciated by the whole country, to say nothing about the names of the many i nfluential people comprising our organizati on.

I wish to add an expression of apprecia.tion for the good work you are doing in North Carolina i n the establish­ ment of state owned parks to be administer ed by the rules and r egulati ons of the Park Service.

Very truly yours,

Col. D. W. Adams

DWA/vg Encl.

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.. Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives ·.

UNITED S TATES c DEPARTM ENT OF THE I N TERIOR 0 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE p y STA TE PARK D IV ISION 409 South Tryon St., Charlotte, N. c.

REPORT OF I NSPECTOR L. A. SHARPE ON DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL PARK

June 2J, 1935 ·

There is no question in the mind of this Inspector that the area under consideration for Daniel Boone National Park i s a worthy one. Apparently this project has been discussed at various times by many individuals, particular­ ly in the Western part of North Carolina. The subj ect has caused grief and political disturbance in Raleigh and from all this Inspector can gather is a ' sore point in certai n parts of North Carol ina at the present t i me . Regardless of what has gone befor e and regardless of the proximity of t he Great Smoky Mountain National Park, this area can certainly l ay as much clai m to distinction as a National Park .as does the Great Smoky Mountains. It contains such out­ standing geographical features as Mount Mitchell, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls, Linville Gorge, and a tremendous area lying between U.S. Highways No. 70 and No. 19, more particular"J.y described as follows :

Starting at a point on U.S. Highway No . 70 at Bl ack Mount ain, N. C. following that Highway through to Marion, Morganton and Hickory thence along N.C. State Highway No. 96 and No. 90 to Taylorsville, thence along N.C. No. 16 to Wilkesbor o, thence along u.s. Highway No. 421 through Millers Creek,Deep ., Gap, Boone to Vil as, thence along N.C. Highway No . 194 to Banner Elk, Heaton and Elk Park, thence along U.S. Highway No. 19E to Cranb erry, Minneapolis, Plumtree , Ingalls, Spruce Pine, Micaville, t hence over N.C . Highway No . 695 to Pensacol a until it strikes the Asheville Water shed. Then in a directi on due South al ong the East boundary of the Asheville Wat ershed to Montr eat, t hence over N.C. Highway No. 119 to Ridgecrest.

A map i G enclosed herewith showing the approximate boundary of the proposed area. This map also shows the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

It can easil y be s~en that detailed and accurat e i nfor mation on an area of this size would t ake many months of intensive work t o secure . Only the •. ., inf ormat ion which is pertinent at thi s time in the opinion of t his Inspector is being svbmitted. Enclosed herewith is a publication concerni ng this project whi ch was sponsored by Colonel D. w. Adams of Old For t , N. C. I contacted Colonel Adams Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

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discu~sed the matter with him and he furnished the bulletin mentioned above, but hastened to assure me that the proposal for Daniel Boone National Forest Park was made in that fashion because it seemed impossible at the t ime to have the area controlled as a straight National Park. The committee which was headed by Colonel Adams felt that this compromise was a step in the right direction. Colonel Adams further assured me that the committee would never be content until the area was taken over by the Department of the Interior and administered by the National Park Service. It should be pointed out here that a very large portion of the area included within the boundary described and outlined elsewhere in this report i s now owned by the United States Government and is under the jurisdiction of the.United States Forest Service. Some fine stands of beautiful timber remain on the part now a National Forest, but to see it cut for commercial purposes is enough to break one's heart, especially where it is closely associated with outstanding geographical and geological features such as Table Rock. The Grand­ father Mountain Area is now owned by Mr . Hugh A. McRae of Wilmington, N. C. I have been informed that only recently has t he balance of the commercial timber l eft on the area been cut for use as pul p wood which means that the area. has been skinned.

It is the opinion of this Inspector that this area ~£rits consideration of a serious sort even with all its political dynamite. Undoubtedly any effort made to convert the National Forest area into a National Park will meet with opposition from t he Federal end as well as opposition from the State Forest Service. It is my information that w~ . Holmes and the former director of the Department of Conservation and Development, Colonel Harrelson, actively resisted the attempt made to convert this area into a National Park in 1932.

(Sgd) L. A. Sharpe ' Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

100502

UNITED STATES DEPARTiVJF_,NT OF THE I NTE'JUOH NATI ONAL PARK SERVICE BRANCH OF PLANNING EXTENSION DIVISION PROPOSED NATIONAL-- PARKS--- & MONUMENTS (Form of r eport f r om Regi onal Officers) To be typed throughout.

Letter of transmittal : To be attached (summary and reconunenda.tl·')n) Name of Project: DANI EL BOONE NATI ONAL PARK Location -(state, county, di stance and directi on fror:i kno?m city) NORTH C.AROLIN.P_- Y.ANCEY, BURKE , AVERY, CALDWELL AND WILKES COUNTIES Vicinity Asheville, Burnsvj.lle , Boone, Blowing Rock, Marion, N. C. Area - Total Acres Approx. 600 SqUllre Miles.

Bomdarie s - (description , referenc.:e to ma.ps to be attached)

Proposed: See letter of transmittal and map a t tached

Recommended : ' As proposed

., Accessi bility: Accessibl e by highway, Railway and air but not Railwc..y: by water Highwo.y: Airline: W:.tterway :

Major characteristics - (Indic~3te tnose wh i ch are outstanding end attach additional infor ;;iation if necessary)

1. Scenic features -- (topography·; el ev2 tion, ;::>l.:int covf: r, ~ water, etc . ) : , Mountainous, 2500 to 6000 + elev. , Plant cover spruce, balsam, hemlocA:, rhododendron and associated r+ora Contains much water, strea~ and. waterfalls, includin~ Linville Fails, -Lijville Gorge and Linv-ille River• 2. Historical or 9renistoric f eat1rros: Relatively unimportCl.Ilt

3 . Geological f0atures : Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock, Linville Gorge particularl y i nteresting Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

·- 100532

4. Recrea t i on&l Possi bili t i es (if compatibl e with proj ect )

Nati onal: Si mil ar to the Great Smokies National Park. Park t o Park Highway will pass through the entire length of the proposed park Area. Alr eady many sw.all towns l ocated on the borders of the area a.re almost entirely supported ~oct8urist traffic

Esti mated population wHhin a radiurs of 50 miles: 100 II 200 II

5 . Bi ological features: Vegetati ve : Tr ees, shrubs and herbaceous mat erial in great variety.

Wildlife: Game of all sorts, fish in comparative abundance Need f or conser vati on: Great need for conservation as f ar ming ca.uses the l and to erode badly and the cutting of t i mber by t he Forest Service and private companies is removing practically all of t he virgin growth

Rel ative i mpor tance in compar ison wi t h areas of si milar nature elsewh8re : Comparable to the Great Smokies

Possi ble d8velopment -

Recreati onal f acilit ies (if compatible wi t h pr oj ect ) : Should provide the same type of facility to be had in the ' Great Smokies Ut iliti 0s -

Vle.ter supply: Water generally abundant

Par king space, capacity: unlimited

Campgr ound si tes, capaci t y : adequate 14

Light and power facilit i es : easily avail able

2 Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

·100552

Sewerage disposal f ac:i.li t iee:

Capacity for handling of visHor s:

Practicability of administrat i on and pr otocUon:

Should be easily administered and pr otected

Other land uses -

Mining resources: Mica and feldspar principal mining products

Agricultural re.".lources : General farming , corn etc.

Grazing: Flocks of sheet noticed f r equently

Cultivated crops : Corn, potatoes, tobacco, wheat, oats, rye, appl es

Timb0r : Most of the area has been heavily cut over and parts badly burned especi al ly in the vicinity of Mt. Mi tchel l. Many tracts ' of t imber r emain untouched but the Forest Service and private companies are rapidly depleting the supply of virgin timber. ~hmting & F·ishing uses: Game and fish abound and could be increased by adequate protection

Power Resour ces:

~ Irriga t i on Resources:

5 Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

1005::.2

Ovmership:

Railways: State: 1224(Mt . Mitchell SP) acres M1micipali ties: Pri vate: 200.. sq. mi. T-::•tal alienated .lands

Mining claims: Grazing permits and withdrawals : Power permits: Total permi t acreage

Nati onal forest lands: (purchased or proposed) 400 sq. mi. Public domain: Recl amation projscts: Indian lands: Total public land::; 400 ... sq • mls.

Total acreage

Land Valu0s: Vary greatly. US Forest Service has purchased greater part of proposed area at nominal prices.

History of project: Sponsored by a committee headed by Col. D.W. Adams Old Fort, N.C. See letter of transmittal

Local a tti tude: See letter of transwittal .,

Persons interested: See letter of t ransmittal

Itinerary (Sheet to be attaclir:::d)

Bi bliography:

List of photographs, maps and printed information submitted: (Sh8et to be a.ttacl1ed) ~ Note: Alf maps which are specially prcparE:d by tht~ Regional Offic0s should con.form to one of th<; following f;tandard sizes:

Lctte:r size - 181! x 24" 24 11 x 36 11

4 Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STATE PARK DIVISION '\ i\l""\.. : ,1.1 ,, . :- ~·- . '!.'HIRD REGIONAL OFFICE '~" R 1:ri- ..., ·· 2100 ·qerrtro.l 1-ia-i;imml Bank Bldgo

JN ,9...,, 7 1LV1·°'1-,\..; v '.....{.... RICHMOND:. VIRGINIA JL /

ll441l . '· s ,,,../' June 26 , 1935 s A rx n~.:--- - "'

Stat e Park EC V: Washingt o11 , 1J . C.

Gentl emen: Sub j ect: Daniel Boone National Park, North Carolina

Please refer to your memorl:;lndum t o Regional Officers dated iiiay 17th rel ati ve to areas whi ch have been proposed for administr a­ tion by this Service .

! We a;>pend hereto a copy of a report from Regional Inspector L. A. Sharpe on the area noted in the 11bove subject, together with Form 100532 properly filled out and a pamphlet and letter from Col­ onel Adams mentioned in his report. A State Highvmy map of North Carolina, al so enclosed, shm·1s the location of the area.

Yours very truly, H. E. v; eath erwax Regional Officer

iI' :::rd 27 r a\./'-"'\.;"'.,..- ~~f I A. P. Bursley • As sis taut. .Regio nal Officer Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

·,

\ A •

7/11/35-. ~ Jtf'J'i I Ch :

Referenc·e is made to the attached form r eport. on the pro-

posed Daniel Boone National Park, the Table Rock, Grandfather

Mtn., and Linville Gorge r egion of North Carolina.

Was Col. Adams , the gentleman who talked to you about this

area a few days ago?

1t appears to me that this area is merel y a second smoky

Mountains. As it is at a aonsiderabl e distance from the Great

smoky Mtns. National Park, it could hardly b~ considered as an

extension to that park.

If you agree with me, I wil l draft a disapproval, and

the Director signs it, will notify the Regional Officer and

ask that the proposel be giv:en no further encouragement.

' Reproduced from the Unclassified I Declassified Holdings of the National Archives

·------UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ' -~-·--- - . WASHINGTON 6W°i\L P:\ HK S[R.l.'!(;•t , RECEi\IED '-., ~'7 sE p 1 7 ,935 ~ \ . / I .cr-J _-p,, .._ 7 133I cJ \ s ~L~

Memorandum. for the Directort

A.map showing the proposed Daniel.Boon& National Park, and a report submit'ted. by the 'lhircl Eegional Oft:icer o:r the St'ate ltark Jli,vision, are attaa:hed.

Th& area. a.ppea:rs to be: similar to the. Great Smoky !fi.0unta·1ns. National Park. ks it is same di.stance from. the Great Silrokies., it would aaem inadvisa,ble to consi.der it as an extension to that park.

It. is. recommended. that this area be disapproved and removed f'r001 our pennenent lia;t of preposed areas.

Conrad I.. Wirth• .Ass-istant Direetor.

Approved:

Enel.. 686262