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David Howe Lawrence Papers


David Howe Lawrence (1919-2003) had a keen interest in protecting North Carolina beaches from erosion and invented a permeable groin, which he believed could stop erosion. In 1981, he formed Shoreline Associates, Inc. to market this idea.These papers consist of correspondence, newspaper clippings, documents relating to the patent of the permeable groin and Shoreline Associates, photographs of erosion and measures to control erosion.

Title

David Howe Lawrence Papers

Collection Number

33MSS-49

Date(s)

1956 - 1998

Language

English

Physical Description
Cubic feet
.68
Abstract

David Howe Lawrence (1919-2003) had a keen interest in protecting North Carolina beaches from erosion and invented a permeable groin, which he believed could stop erosion. In 1981, he formed Shoreline Associates, Inc. to market this idea.

These papers consist of correspondence, newspaper clippings, documents relating to the patent of the permeable groin and Shoreline Associates, photographs of erosion and measures to control erosion.

Physical Location

For current information on the location ofthese materials, please consult the Outer Banks History Center.

Creator

Lawrence, David Howe

Repository

Outer Banks History Center


This collection is arranged topically with four main series: Correspondence, Business Papers, Newspaper Clippings, and Maps.


Available for research.


Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.


Processed by Sarah Downing prior to 2001.

Encoded by Kelly Grimm, August, 2009


Folder 3:7.1 is located in map drawer 17 and contains approximately 26 maps. The maps range in date from 1956-1986 and cover Dare and Currituck counties, including tax maps, zoning maps, and maps of unincorporated areas. There are also maps of Oregon Inlet before and during dredging. A detailed listing of the maps is available. Folder 1:4.12 contains separated materials located in the oversize manuscript items box on 25C1.


David Howe Lawrence (1919-2003) was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Belmount Abbey College, where he took many courses in engineering. After military service during World War II, Lawrence worked for his father, Harry C. Lawrence, in his business, East Coast Dredging, building highways, bridges, and drainage canals. They also designed and built a few beach homes. Lawrence returned to school from 1950-1954, and studied civil engineering. He married in 1950 and had three daughters. From 1954-1965, he was president of Cameron Village, Inc. in Raleigh, N.C. and in 1965-1967, he designed and built the Sea Scape development in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Lawrence returned to school (UNC Chapel Hill) to attend the North Carolina Realtors Institute when his interests turned to real estate, appraising and development design. By the 1980s Lawrence had developed a keen interest in protecting North Carolina beaches from erosion and invented a permeable groin, which he believed could stop erosion. In 1981 he formed Shoreline Associates, Inc., to market this idea.


David Howe Lawrence (1919-2003) was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Belmount Abbey College, where he took many courses in engineering. After military service during World War II, Lawrence worked for his father, Harry C. Lawrence, in his business, East Coast Dredging, building highways, bridges, and drainage canals. They also designed and built a few beach homes. Lawrence returned to school from 1950-1954, and studied civil engineering. He married in 1950 and had three daughters. From 1954-1965, he was president of Cameron Village, Inc. in Raleigh, N.C. and in 1965-1967, he designed and built the Sea Scape development in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Lawrence returned to school (UNC Chapel Hill) to attend the North Carolina Realtors Institute when his interests turned to real estate, appraising and development design. By the 1980s Lawrence had developed a keen interest in protecting North Carolina beaches from erosion and invented a permeable groin, which he believed could stop erosion. In 1981 he formed Shoreline Associates, Inc., to market this idea.


[Identification of item], 33MSS-49, David Howe Lawrence Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C., U.S.A.


Donated by David Lawrence


Additional information on topics found in this collection may be found in the Manuscript and Archives Reference System (MARS)  http://mars.archives.ncdcr.gov/.


The David Howe Lawrence Papers consists of correspondence and documents relating to the patent of the permeable groin and Shoreline Associates. There is a folder of photographs that have images of Avalon Pier, beach cottages, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Kitty Hawk Coast Guard Station, as well as jetties, the construction of his "Lawrence Grid Groin" and measures to control erosion. There is also an image of Diane Baum St. Clair and David Stick.

Another key part of the David Howe Lawrence Papers includes newspaper clippings. Subjects include, erosion, Oregon Inlet, offshore oil drilling, and sand replinishment. There is also a folder of maps, located away from the collection in Map Drawer 17. Maps include: Dare County tax maps, zoning maps, and maps of unincorporated areas in both Dare and Currituck Counties.

This collection is arranged topically with four main series: Correspondence, Business Papers, Newspaper Clippings, and Maps.


The David Howe Lawrence Papers consists of correspondence and documents relating to the patent of the permeable groin and Shoreline Associates. There is a folder of photographs that have images of Avalon Pier, beach cottages, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Kitty Hawk Coast Guard Station, as well as jetties, the construction of his "Lawrence Grid Groin" and measures to control erosion. There is also an image of Diane Baum St. Clair and David Stick.

Another key part of the David Howe Lawrence Papers includes newspaper clippings. Subjects include, erosion, Oregon Inlet, offshore oil drilling, and sand replinishment. There is also a folder of maps, located away from the collection in Map Drawer 17. Maps include: Dare County tax maps, zoning maps, and maps of unincorporated areas in both Dare and Currituck Counties.


  • Erosion
  • Groins (Shore protection)
  • Coast changes
  • Hatteras Island (N.C.)
  • Kill Devil Hills (N.C.)
  • Oregon Inlet (N.C.)
  • Roanoke Island (N.C.)

Physical Description
2 boxes, 33 folders

Folder: 1:1.1  
Finding Aid

Folder: 1:2.1  
Biographical Sketch

6501
Correspondence

Folder: 1:3.1  
,1960s,1970s
1950s
D. Lawrence Correspondence
Folder: 1:3.2  
1980-1982
1980-1982
Folder: 1:3.3  
1983-1985
1983-1985
Folder: 1:3.4  
1986-1989
1986-1989
Folder: 1:3.5  
1990s
1990s

6508
Business Papers

Folder: 1:4.1  
Sam Lamb, Corolla
Folder: 1:4.2  
Shoreline Associates, Inc.
1982-1986
Folder: 1:4.3  
Sea Ranch [also Old Station Photos]
Folder: 1:4.4  
Permits for groins - Town of Kill Devil Hills
Folder: 1:4.5  
Patent of Lawrence Variable Grid System, plus patents pertaining to groins, jetties, and protective beaches
Folder: 1:4.6  
Special Committee on Storm Damage
Folder: 1:4.7  
Roanoke Island Plats, Photos, Surveys, Kill Devil Hills Survey and Kinnakeet Shores Survey
1979-1983
Folder: 1:4.8  
Legislation Regarding Coastal Management
Folder: 1:4.9  
Reports Regarding Coastal Management
Folder: 1:4.10  
Governmental Publications Regarding Beach Erosion and Shoreline Protection
Folder: 1:4.11  
Miscellaneous Research Notes and Ephemera
Folder: 1:4.12  
Plats, Surveys, Drawings, and Maps (includes separated oversized materials)

6521
Newspaper Clippings

Folder: 2:6.1  
Artificial Seaweed
Folder: 2:6.2  
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (Moving/Saving)
Folder: 2:6.3  
Dredging, General
Folder: 2:6.4  
Kill Devil Hills, Town Elections
1981
Folder: 2:6.5  
Erosion From Storms
Folder: 2:6.6  
General Erosion
Folder: 2:6.7  
Groins, Sandbags, Bulkheads
Folder: 2:6.8  
Lighthouses and Other Subjects
Folder: 2:6.9  
Oregon Inlet, Dredging
Folder: 2:6.10  
Oregon Inlet, Erosion at Coast Guard Station
Folder: 2:6.11  
Oregon Inlet, Bonner Bridge Erosion
Folder: 2:6.12  
Oregon Inlet, Jetties
Folder: 2.6.13  
Oil Drilling
Folder: 2:6.14  
Sand Fences
Folder: 2:6.15  
Sand Replenishment
Folder: 2:6.16  
Seawalls
Folder: 2:6.17  
Ship Sinking

Folder: 3:7.1  
Dare and Currituck County Maps
1956-1986

Scope and Content

*These are separated materials located in Map Drawer 17