1963

The National Park Service officially rejects the proposal for a middle route.

1964

Gov. Dan K. Moore starts lobbying the NPS for a low or middle route.

1966

Gov. Moore and Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall announce a compromise along a middle route. Mildred the Bear arrives at Grandfather Mountain.

1969

As a committee chair of the NC Travel Agency, Hugh Morton is asked to lobby the General Assembly to open NC to liquor-by-the-drink. He does, despite the fact that he doesn't drink, but it doesn't pass until 1978.

1971

Hugh Morton announces he will run for governor.

1972

Hugh Morton drops out of gubernatorial race because he can't outspend Skipper Bowles.

1974

Moves permanent residence to Linville.

1975

Opens an advertising and public relations firm in Greensboro and is president of the NC Sports Hall of Fame.

1977

Hunt asks Hugh to lead campaign to change state constitution to allow a governor to succeed himself. Hugh raises private funds and works on a publicity campaign for the issue, which the General Assembly passes.

1979

Receives Distinguished Service Medal from UNC GAA.

1981

Hunt asks Hugh and Charlotte banker CC Hope to run a publicity campaign in favor of a $.03 gas tax for road improvements. Morton suggests using Arthur Smith. The General Assembly passes the tax. Morton also joins the Congressional Club, Jesse Helms' fundraising group, to save the Cape Hatteras lighthouse.

1982

Morton is chairman on Governor's Advisory Committee on Travel and Tourism.

1983

Is asked to crown the 35^th Azalea Queen and asks UNC freshman Michael Jordan to take his place. Jordan had scored the winning basket in the NCAA championship the week before.

1985

Takes photographs of General Westmoreland while he is suing CBS for libel. Westmoreland wanted photos that showed him as a normal, more loveable human being, not a 4-star general. Morton, along with Dottie Martin (NC's then-First Lady) convinces the Dept. of Transportation to begin the highway wildflower program.

1987

One of 5 appointed by Governor Hunt to plan the Blue Ridge Parkway completion ceremonies. BPS dedicates the Linn Cove Viaduct, finishing the parkway. The parkway association gives Morton the Eagle Award for promoting the road.

1988

Hugh Morton becomes increasingly worried about air pollution and meets NC State plant pathology and forestry professor Robert Bruck.

1993

Appointed by Governor Hunt to the Air Cargo Airport Authority Board of Directors, the state agency charged with building the Global TransPark. Conservationists and Linville residents are angered over plans to build a ski resort, civic center and shopping center on the Wilmor tract around Grandfather and Sugar Mountains, so Wilmor donates/sells 800 of the 900 acres to the NC Nature Conservancy. Mildred the Bear dies of old age.

1995

Hugh and Julia Morton celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary. Morton also is awarded the Citizen of the Carolinas Award from the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

1996

Hugh Morton is appointed to Governor Hunt's Year of the Mountains Commission, whose main goal is to get the state to purchase land along the Blue Ridge Parkway to stop encroaching development.

1997

Hugh Morton is awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from UNC, the North Carolinian of the Year award from the NC Press Association and the Governor's Award form Leadership North Carolina. Wilmor Corp. develops the remaining 100 acres of the Wilmor Tract, much to the chagrin of neighbors.

1998

Morton is the third inductee into the Celebrate Wilmington! Walk of Fame.

1999

Morton rebuilds the Mile-High Swinging Bridge. Attends "Save Our State" meeting to talk about problems of air pollution from cars and coal-burning power plants. The Department of Transportation refuses to purchase land as the Year of the Mountains Commission recommends.

2000

Morton joins a group uniting mountain and coastal supporters to work together on separate regional environmental issues.

2002

Hugh Morton is awarded an honorary degree from Queens College.

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