Carolista Baum, sitting for a portrait on the sand, with the dunes of Jockey's Ridge in the background

North Carolina Woman Who Saved Jockey's Ridge To Be Featured on Highway Historical Marker

Carolista Fletcher Baum, a fearless advocate for environmental preservation, will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker for her pivotal role in safeguarding the iconic Jockey's Ridge on the Outer Banks.

Author: North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Top photo: Portrait of Carolista Baum, with the Jockey's Ridge dunes in the background, from the NC DPR Archives

Carolista Fletcher Baum, a fearless advocate for environmental preservation, will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker for her pivotal role in safeguarding the iconic Jockey's Ridge on the Outer Banks. The dedication ceremony for the marker will take place Friday, July 7, at 10 a.m., at 300 Carolista Drive in Nags Head.

Collage of construction photos at Jockey's Ridge and a bumper sticker that reads "Save Our Sand Dunes," from the NC DPR Archives
Two photographs showing initial construction at Jockey's Ridge, including bulldozers sent to remove sand. The bumper sticker in the foreground was an effort by Baum and the People to Preserve Jockey's Ridge to raise money to purchase the land and save it from development. Photos from the DPR Archives, courtesy of Clay Nolen.

On August 15, 1973, Baum courageously positioned herself in the path of a bulldozer sent to remove sand from Jockey's Ridge. Defying the machine's progress and finally engaging in a heartfelt conversation with the bulldozer's operator, the driver departed the dune.

While local organizations had previously discussed protecting the expansive dune from encroaching development, it was Baum's unwavering determination that transformed the idea into reality. Inspired by her dramatic protest, Baum co-founded the group People to Preserve Jockey's Ridge, rallying support through fundraising initiatives and petition drives to capture the attention of state lawmakers and local officials.

Collage of a photo of a billboard to raise money for Jockey's Ridge and a certificate awarded to those who donate money, from the NC DPR Archives
Photo on the left is a billboard that reads "Buy A Piece of the Ridge. For a $5 donation, you can be an honorary owner of a square foot of Jockey's Ridge and receive a commemorative certificate and gift... Save A Square Foot of Jockey's Ridge!" In the foreground, on the right, is the commemorative certificate awarded by the People to Preserve Jockey's Ridge. This particular certificate was awarded to Carolista Baum for her "hard labor and leadership." Photos from the DPR Archives.

In 1973, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation released a report advocating for the preservation of Jockey's Ridge as a state park. A year later, the dune received the distinguished designation of a National Natural Landmark. With the General Assembly's allocation of funds in 1975, the preservation of this natural wonder was secured for future generations to cherish.

The dedication ceremony will feature speakers, including Ansley Wegner, head of the North Carolina Historical Research Office, and George Barnes, the first superintendent of Jockey's Ridge State Park. Additionally, members of the Baum family will be present to share stories of Carolista Fletcher Baum's extraordinary legacy.

The marker is located on U.S. 158 at Carolista Drive in Nags Head. It reads:

Carolista Baum, 1940-1991
Environmental activist. Stopped destruction of Jockey's Ridge sand dune in 1973. Fundraised and lobbied to preserve as a N.C. State Park, 1975.

More about the marker

 

This blog post is adapted from a press release by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Related Topics: