If you’ve ever admired the Linn Cove Viaduct while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can thank Hugh MacRae Morton, born on this day in 1921. Morton inherited 4,000 acres on Grandfather Mountain and dedicated his life to preserving its beauty. His insistence on protecting the mountain led to the construction of the Viaduct instead of a traditional road that would have disturbed the mountainside.
To make Grandfather Mountain more accessible, Morton built the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge and developed wildlife habitats that still house native species like black bears and eagles. In 1993, Grandfather became the first privately owned land designated as a UN International Biosphere Reserve.
Beyond conservation, Morton was also a talented photographer, publishing two books of his work.
He passed away in 2006.