Getting to Know: Carolista Fletcher Baum - Carolina Country
Tar Heel Tidbits
August 2017

Getting to Know: Carolista Fletcher Baum

The activist who saved Jockey’s Ridge sand dune

Getting to Know: Carolista Fletcher Baum

Baum with Jockey’s Ridge in the background, circa 1973 (photo courtesy of North Carolina Parks and Recreation).

On August 15, 1973, Baum placed herself in the path of a bulldozer removing sand from Jockey’s Ridge and refused to move. She had received word about it from her children, who climbed the large dune in Nags Head for its spectacular views.

Though local groups had talked about protecting the dune from encroaching development, the determined, fiery Baum became the driving force that made the idea a reality. She helped form the People to Preserve Jockey’s Ridge (now the Friends of Jockey's Ridge), raising money and organizing petition drives.

In 1973, the Division of Parks and Recreation issued a report in favor of preserving Jockey’s Ridge as a state park. Baum died in 1991, knowing she had made a big difference. And today, Jockey’s Ridge State Park has the tallest natural sand dune in the eastern United States.

Comments (6)

  • Thanks for your kind words about my mom... she was a pioneer & taught her 3 kids that with a bit of determination, a bit of hard work & a lot of love for your environment, you can literally 'not' move a sand dune! :)

    Ann-Cabell Baum |
    July 31, 2017 |
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  • Ann-Cabell Baum -- your mama was truly an amazing wonderful woman!! As a child/teen, we spent every summer in KDH and your mama's jewelry store was an important stop for us not only for jewelry but for the fabulous conversations! My mama valued your mama's opinions & her warm lively personality as did I. I still have some of the lovely jewelry she made for Mama as well as a beautiful set of earrings that Inglis made for me. Carolista was a treasure!!

    Jasmine Jelesoff Larimer |
    August 01, 2017 |
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  • Ann-Cabell,
    I’m going through old papers and finding some from your wonderful mom. I checked the internet and was happily surprised to see the sites concerning her extraordinary work and aura. I would love to hear how you, your sister and brother are doing. Your parents and I were good friends in N.C. at the time of your birth. Joelle Brun de Pontet Gatling

    Joelle Brun de Pontet Gatling |
    March 17, 2019 |
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  • We're all so delighted to hear from friends and people that knew mom (Carolista). If you have a moment, please share your fondest memories on the facebook page we set up: Carolista
    Thank you so much... Ann-Cabell Baum

    Ann-Cabell Baum |
    March 19, 2019 |
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  • Hi Joelle - Ann-Cabell here... and it's wonderful to hear from you. Please let me know how to reach you. It would be lovely to talk and catch up. Inglis & Gibbs and I are trying to capture everyone's pictures, memories and stories of mom through the years... we set up a facebook page and would love to have yours. The facebook page is simply Carolista.
    And, you can reach me via email: cabelldtr@glenwoodagency.com (I'm in real estate in Raleigh and have been since school) and my mobile is: 919-606-4074.
    Love and hugs from us all... xoxo

    Ann-Cabell Baum |
    March 19, 2019 |
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  • Jasmine - hey there! Thank you... your comments warm our hearts!!
    And, we all would love to see any pictures that you have of the jewelry you bought over the years! :) What a treat that would be... we have a facebook page, and hoped that you might put a picture or two up? It's simply: Carolista My contact info: cabelldtr@glenwoodagency.com (I'm in Raleigh) Would love to hear from you... :)

    Ann-Cabell Baum |
    March 19, 2019 |
    reply

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