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Monday, September 29, 2008 10:48 AM State buying Grandfather Mountain The Associated Press LINVILLE -- North Carolina is buying Grandfather Mountain and about 2,600 surrounding acres of wilderness from the Morton family, a move that will help preserve the mountain's natural beauty and forestall development. "The opportunity was right that this get done here," said Crae Morton, president of Grandfather Mountain Inc. and grandson of the late Hugh Morton, in a telephone interview Sunday. "It happened to coincide with the state seeking opportunities to protect areas like this. You put those together, plus opportunities to operate the attraction as a nonprofit with all its new potential and you have a convergence of win-win situations." Crae Morton said the purchase includes a 600-acre area which is popular for its Mile High Swinging Bridge, nature museum and animal habitat. He said that portion of the purchase will be designated as an easment, holding off efforts to build housing subdivisions, condominiums, ski slopes and other types of commercial development. "Ultimately, the family is pleased because the mountain will be better protected and the conservation and education mission will have new means to be improved," Crae Morton said. "If my grandfather were a fly on the wall, he would be pleased, ultimately, because the mountain is No. 1 and the mountain situation will be even more improved." Crae Morton said he will become the director of a nonprofit organization that will work with the state to continue to do research as well as maintenance of the area. Morton built a bridge from a parking lot across a ravine to one of the mountain's peaks, dubbing it the "Mile-High Swinging Bridge" because the structure was 5,305 feet above sea level. Morton's best-known victory was over the National Park Service and its plan to route the Blue Ridge Parkway over Grandfather Mountain. "It would have put deep cuts in fields high up on the side of a rugged mountain that just shouldn't be conquered," Morton said. Four years later, the federal government agreed to a compromise that took the parkway around the side of the mountain. The bridge built to accomplish the feat -- the Linn Cove Viaduct -- won design awards and became the state's most famous stretch of road. The deal is to be announced today, and Gov. Mike Easley is scheduled to attend. The state will use money already available in a reserve fund to purchase park land and other property for preservation. Easley told The Charlotte Observer he doesn't anticipate any legislative objections or other problems closing a deal that gives the state a plum property. "If you can get a Grandfather Mountain for $12 million, you'd better get as many as you can." |
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