Hugh Macrae Morton

Hugh Morton was the late founder of Grandfather Mountain. He inherited the mountain in 1952 and envisioned making its rugged terrain accessible to all, creating the Mile High Swinging Bridge to provide access for his grandmother and others with limited mobility.

Hugh MacRae Morton was the sole owner of Grandfather Mountain after the Linville Company dissolved in 1952. He expanded the access road to the summit and built the Mile‑High Swinging Bridge, later transferring ownership of the attraction to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.