Last week I took a trip along the Hank Williams Trail in Alabama, USA. I started in Georgiana, where Hank lived from 1930-34 travelling highway 31 (the last Highway Hank travelled) to Greenville (1934-37), ending in Montgomery where Hank lived from 1937- 1948 where he is also buried. Below is a collection of photos I took on the trip.
A simple breakfast to start the day at Friendly G's diner located just around the corner from Hank's Boyhood Home at 127 Rose Street. Recommended.
One of the many abandon and/or boarded up shops in Georgiana, AL, a railroad town that once had a bit more going on.
Banjo joined me on the tour of Hank's Boyhood Home/Museum in Georgiana. Admission was just $5 and you are allowed to take photographs. Highly Recommended.
The bedroom where Hank allegedly slept from 1930-1934. (He was born in 1923).
She has lots of stories for you, some of them probably true.
Banjo and I watching a DVD reel of Hank's life story at his Boyhood home.
The fence adds a nice touch.
The stage where Hank Williams Sr. Annual Festival is held. Past performers include George Jones, Hank 3, Alan Jackson, Jett Williams, and many others.
Hank's Boyhood Home & Musuem
The annual festival that takes place in Georgiana, Alabama on the Hank Williams Sr Festival Grounds.
The Ritz Theatre where Hank performed occasioanly with an early pre-Drifting Cowboys band, circa 1937. Hank moved to Greenville in 1934 with his mother Lillie, 20 miles or so north of Georgiana.
There is not much to see in Greenville but it is a recommended part of the trip. These are the streets Hank walked as a young teen where he met Rufus "TeeTot" Payne, and began his apprenticeship in show business.
Hank alledgedly shined shoes and sold peanuts in front of this courthouse in his early teens. Hank returned to Greenville in 1952 performing 2 concerts as part of his "Greenville Homecoming" sponsored by the Rotary Club.
Highly recommended. Though you are not permitted to take photographs in the museum it contains some incredible artifacts including Hank's powder blue Cadillac, suit and personal belongings that were with him the night he died.
Located in downtown Montgomery Alabama. Highly recommended. One of the highlights of my trip.
A server told me Hank's "meal of choice" was a hot dog, a shot of whiskey, and a beer, two of which are featured in this photograph. Hank loved to hang about Chris' Hot Dogs which was open 24 hours when Hank would have lived in Montgomery. He was allegedly barred several times from the establishment by the owner Chris for causing a disturbance in the early morning hours.
Chris' Hot Dogs is one of the few stops on the trail that doesn't look like it has changed much in the last 50 years. A real gem of a place with a great vibe and history.
Across the Street from City hall this memorial where Hank's outdoor funeral drew approximately 25,000 in attendance. The largest outdoor funeral ever held in Montgomery.
The original site of the Empire Theatre where Hank won his first talent contest at age 14 in 1937.
A sillhouette of The Hank Williams Statue which is no longer located across from City Hall but now in the center of the city, on Commerce Street not far from the Official Hank Williams Museum.
Entering Oakwood Cemetery at Sunset.
Hank & Audrey's Gravesite is visited by thousands each year, and rumoured to be somewhat of a popular spot where locals and visitors often have drinks in his honour. It is also not uncommon to see unopened beer left at the site, among empties.
A very nice memorial site. Recommended. Note: Montgomery is a rough city and the cemetery among other things is not located in a particualry nice area of town.
According to employees at the Official Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Hank JR owns the exclusive rights to the name and image of his father "Hank Williams Sr". The Museum is highly recommended although you are not permitted to take photos inside the museum. Admission is $10.00.
Located in the area known as Kawliga (Kowaliga) on Lake Martin, Alabama, about an hour northeast of Montgomery. Kowaliga Restaurant sits on the actual location of the cafe Hank visited the week he stayed here with girlfriend Bobbie Jett. He wrote both "You're Cheatin' Heart" & "Kawliga", while staying at a cabin in Children's Harbour (which you can rent for a minimum two night stay).
The cafe that Hank visited in 1952 featured a Wooden Indian that greeted visitors. This statue is most likely a replica of the original.
Some of the memorabilia featured at Kowaliga Restaurant. Not essential, but recommended if you have time to visit the Kawliga Area.
Crossing the bridge in Lake Martin to Wind Creek State Park which is a nice campground if you can't afford to stay in the Children's Harbour Cabin where Hank vacationed.