Harper, Walter W.

Oral History Transcript (36 pages)

Governor Fritz Hollings hired Harper in 1959 as Director of the South Carolina Development Board. Harper had been engaged in development work in North Carolina under Gov. Luther Hodges. Hollings had campaigned promising to devote himself to improving the economic climate of South Carolina. Soon after taking office, Hollings expanded the Board's membership from five to fifteen and brought Harper in to plan, organize, and help lead an energetic development effort aimed at expanding current manufacturing enterprises, bringing new industry to South Carolina, and promoting tourism. In this 1997 interview, Harper reflects on his leadership of the Development Board, 1959-1967. [Note: The transcript has been heavily edited by Mr. Harper to ensure the fullest and most accurate account possible.]