Land trust, city help preserve scenic vista

Our collective memory is often short, and so I am writing to add a little history omitted from Marti Covington's wonderful article about Bellamy Curve in Beaufort.

In the mid-1980s, Bellamy Curve was lined with buildings, including a gas station, houses and a dental office. The view of the water was only a slice occasionally glimpsed between the structures.

Led by Charles Peyton, Bruce McBratney, John Broz, Cindy Baysden and other visionaries, the Beaufort County Open Land Trust began Project Vista and one by one bought each structure, tore it down and deeded the property to the city of Beaufort for continued maintenance.

The city, under the leadership of Mayor David Taub, also provided essential financial support.

The result is the sweeping view that we all enjoy today.

These individuals deserve our recognition and thanks for this 20-year effort, and the Beaufort County Open Land Trust deserves our continued financial support as it works behind the scenes to secure more scenic vistas and open spaces.

Terry Murray

Beaufort