David Howe Lawrence Papers, PC.5049
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.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- David Howe Lawrence Papers
- Call Number
- PC.5049
- Creator
- Lawrence, David Howe
- Date
- 1956-1998
- Extent
- 0.810 cubic feet
- Language
- English
- Repository
- Outer Banks History Center
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.5049, David Howe Lawrence Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C., U.S.A.
Collection Overview
The David Howe Lawrence Papers includes correspondence and documents relating to the patent of the permeable groin and Shoreline Associates. Also included is a folder of photographs that have images of Avalon Pier, beach cottages, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Kitty Hawk Coast Guard Station, jetties, the construction of his "Lawrence Grid Groin," measures to control erosion, and an image of Diane Baum St. Clair and David Stick. Additionally, the collection includes newspaper clippings on the subjects of erosion, Oregon Inlet, offshore oil drilling, and sand replinishment, as well as an oversize folder of Dare County tax maps, zoning maps, and maps of unincorporated areas in both Dare and Currituck Counties.
Arrangement Note
This collection is arranged topically with five series: Biographical Sketch, Correspondence, Business Papers, Newspaper Clippings, and Maps.
Biographical Note
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.
Contents of the Collection
1. Biographical Sketch, undated
2. Correspondence, 1950s-1990s
3. Business Papers, 1979-1986 and undated
4. Newspaper Clippings, 1981 and undated
5. Dare and Currituck County Maps, 1956-1986
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Donated by David Lawrence