By the early 1980s, downtown Asheville is struggling. But when a plan to jump-start the area threatens to alter its character, locals spring into action, taking steps toward a bright future.
Decade Series
The 1980s: The Bird Man
In Wilmington, a biology professor makes it his mission to understand and protect the waterbirds that nest along the North Carolina coast — and inspires his students to do the same.
The 1980s: Pioneers of the Piedmont
When two scientists from Research Triangle Park win a Nobel Prize, their victory represents the fulfillment of the park’s original mission: to make world-class science part of North Carolina’s DNA.
The 1980s: Michael Jordan Changes the Game
Before he was the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan was an athletic kid from Wilmington. In 1981, he heads to Chapel Hill to hone the skills and competitive spirit that launch him to superstardom.
The 1980s: A Judge of Fine Character
From his childhood on a farm in Richmond County to his barrier-breaking achievements on the North Carolina Supreme Court, Henry Frye builds his life and career on a foundation of hard work and integrity.
The 1980s: The Decade of Local Heroes
After a period of radical change, North Carolinians enter the 1980s with renewed energy and optimism. The time is right for men and women of passion and talent to step up and make their mark on our state.
The 1970s: A Seat on the Bench
From her roots in Reidsville, Susie Sharp blazes a trail to the North Carolina Supreme Court, becoming the first female chief justice in state history.
The 1970s: Lifting Native Voices
A new commission of Indian affairs ensures representation for North Carolina’s indigenous population. In politics, journalism, the arts, and more, the state’s original residents make strides and speak out.
The 1970s: Room to Roam at the North Carolina Zoo
In Asheboro, the rolling piedmont starts to look like a slice of Africa as a new state-supported zoo aims to teach the value of conservation — and give its animals space to be themselves.
