Hugh Morton

Hugh Morton is best known as the man who hangs out with Mildred the Bear on Grandfather Mountain. During World War II Hugh received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart as a newsreel cameraman in the Pacific. He was the first president of the Azalea Festival in Wilmington. Many adults remember Morton as the man who urged schoolchildren to save their dimes and contribute them to bringing the USS North Carolina home, saving it from certain destruction, and creating a major tourist attraction. He owns Grandfather Mountain and built the mile-high swinging bridge. When the government wanted to extend the Blue Ridge Parkway he refused to let them carve out the side of Grandfather Mountain, leading to the creation of the Glen Cove Viaduct. Morton has delivered hundreds of talks warning of the damage of acid rain in our mountains. His camera has captured the people and scenery of our state for decades. For his lifetime of service we proudly recognize Hugh Morton as this week's NC Notable.

Previous NC Notables
05.19.2005 Bernie Mann
05.12.2005 Orrin H. Pilkey
05.05.2005 William Friday
04.28.2005 Annie Louise Wilkerson
04.21.2005 Martin Lancaster
04.14.2005 Shirley Caesar
04.07.2005 Carl Fox
03.31.2005 Bob Jordan
03.24.2005 Ann T. Denlinger