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The
Roosevelt Trust deeded this parcel of land to the state in 1971.
In
a letter dated May 12, 1971 to Tony Seamon (owner of the Sanitary Fish Market)
Theodore Roosevelt III said in discussing the land gift “…we have been anxious
to do something of this nature for a long time…”
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| Letter from The Goodwin Library, The History Place, CCHS |
The Roosevelt Trust included
Theodore Roosevelt III and the three other children of Major General Theodore
Roosevelt, Jr., who died in France during World War II. Trust members were the
grand children of President Teddy Roosevelt. According to donors’ wishes, the
gift was established as the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area to commemorate
President Roosevelt’s dedication to conservation.
In 1963, the North Carolina State Parks System
established Natural Areas as a unique type of unit. “The purpose of State
Natural Areas is focused on preserving and protecting areas of scientific,
aesthetic, or ecological value. Facilities are limited to those needed for
interpretation, protection, and minimum maintenance. Generally, recreational
and public use facilities such as camping, swimming, picnicking, and the like
are not provided in State Natural Areas.”[i]
The Roosevelt Natural Area fits this definition to the
letter. Hundreds of people drive by it
everyday without realizing it is there. There are no signs along the 1.1 miles
that border Salter Path Rd. The only sign acknowledging existence of the Nature
Area is on the entrance road to the aquarium. On the grounds there is one public
walking trail free to the public—the Theodore Roosevelt Trail. Free parking is
available at the trailhead. A second trail, the Alice Hoffman Trail, is part of
the Aquarium complex.
The 1.2-mile Roosevelt Nature Trail was minimally developed
and left in a rustic, natural state. It follows an ancient dune ridge that runs
through an old-growth maritime forest and salt march. Once on the trail and
away from the parking lot, a walker will hear soft, quiet forest sounds, and
experience the maritime forest as it was in the early 1900s, before mechanized
transportation and straight paved roads.
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| image by w zaenker |
What we now call a trail, back then would have been
referred to as a path. Paths were the main means of moving about on Bogue Banks. Paths were given names—Ogilbys Path, Rice
Path, Sage Path, Lowenberg Path, Salter’s Path and others. By walking the
Roosevelt path you realize that paths followed the natural contours of the
land, worked around trees, avoided dense undergrowth, stepped over roots. They
weren’t straight, level or smooth.
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| image by w zaenker |
The Roosevelt trail provides splendid views of the sound
and salt marshes. It offers a refreshing hour’s stroll any time of year, but is
particularly enjoyable from November through May. In the summer, bug spray is
suggested.
Whether you are a resident or visitor, come and enjoy
this trail. Let your imagination transport you to one of the few remaining
remnants of a true Bogue Banks Path.