Cyrus Hogue, Jr. Papers

Collection

Identifier: SC-MS-264

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence and other documents associated with Cyrus Hogue's involvement in advocating for a new bridge crossing over the Cape Fear River in Wilmington. After decades of campaigning by local citizens, the Wilmington bridge project finally came to fruition with the completion of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in 1969. Hogue, a local Wilmington lawyer and Chairman of the Democratic Party, was instrumental in working the State Highway Commission and Governor Terry Sanford to move the project forward. Primary correspondents in these papers include Merrill Evans, Chairman of the North Carolina State Highway Commission, Lauch Faircloth, State Highway Commission appointee who represented the southeast North Carolina district, and Governor Terry Sanford. Other prominent names include Willard (Bill) F. Babcock, North Carolina State Highway Director, O.O. Allsbrook, Mayor of Wilmington, and Hugh Morton, well known photographer and owner of Grandfather Mountain.

The correspondence in this collection documents Hogue's efforts to ensure that the Wilmington bridge project remained relavent with state officials and funded during Governor Terry Sanford's administration. Other documents in the collection detail the issues that Wilmington faced over decades as both roadway and shipping channel traffic increased in and out of the Port City. These materials make note of the various bridge plans considered at the time including a high-level bridge, a north bridge, and mid-level draw span bridge.

Hogue's correspondence with Lauch Faircloth, who later successfully ran for U.S. Senate, provides insight into his involvement in other topics of local interest- most notably, Wilmington College. Included among these papers are copies of letters sent by Governor Terry Sanford to Wilmington College Board of Trustees appointees as well as individuals who did not receive reappointment.

The materials range in date from 1962-1969.

Dates

Creation: 1962-1969

Creator

Hogue, Cyrus D., Jr., 1921-2017 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Copyright Statement

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Biographical Note

Cyrus D. Hogue, Jr. was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on October 4th, 1921. He was the son of Cyrus D. Hogue and Earnestine Lott Hogue. He attended New Hanover County public schools and was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating in 1942, Hogue entered Chapel Hill's law school. However, after the United States was attacked at Pearl Harbor, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1943. Hogue trained in navigation, and served in Italy, Africa and France. He was discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1946 and re-entered UNC's law school.

After obtaining his law degree in 1947, Hogue entered into practice with his father as Hogue & Hogue in Wilmington until 1960. He then founded the law firm known as Hogue, Hill, Jones, Nash and Lynch, which later became Hogue Hill LLP. Hogue practiced law in numerous trials in state and federal courts as well as appellate courts. Notably, his firm represented the New Hanover County School Board in lawsuits filed against the Board to integrate the school system in the 1960s. In 1970, he was inducted as a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Hogue heavily invested his time in public service to the Wilmington area. He volunteered with the American Red Cross and directed disaster relief during hurricanes Hazel, Connie, and Dianne. He served as Chairman of the Democratic Party in New Hanover County and was instrumental in working Governor Terry Sanford and other legislators to transform Wilmington College into a four year institution, to bring the USS North Carolina to Wilmington, and to build the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. He was a member of the Committee of 100, which helped to bring new industries to New Hanover County following the department of the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. Hogue also served in the following ways: as Chairman of the local board of North Carolina National Bank; as founding trustee of the Champion McDowell Davis Charitable Foundation; as director of the Davis Nursing home; as trustee of the Robert R. Bellamy Memorial Foundation; as chairman of the board of the original developer of Bald Head Island; and as Chairman of the board of the Block Shirt Company.

In 1949, Hogue married Mary Ann Homes Dixon and the couple had three children. He published three books, The View from Pew Seven, The Tangled Mass, and Le Grasse Escapade. He was a life-long member of St. James Parish in Wilmington. Hogue died on September 1, 2017 and is buried in Oakdale Cemetery.