Carolinas, Georgia & South Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Alex Leviton [120]
* * *
“Hard livin’ and hard drinkin’ did Williams in – he walked the walk he sung about.”
* * *
Williams would like to get to drinkin’ often, and often he did so at Chris’ Hot Dogs, a restaurant devoted to hot dogs since 1917. The food is nothing to shake a stick at, but it’s an iconic road food joint (waitress Eleanor Williams has been working there 32 years). Hard livin’ and hard drinkin’ did Williams in – he walked the walk he sung about – at the tender age of 29 from heart failure. His funeral, attended by over 25,000 grief-stricken fans, took place nearby at the City Auditorium, now City Hall. Across the street is the small Hank Williams Statue erected by Hank Williams, Jr.
Williams is buried at the Hank Williams Memorial Oakwood Cemetery Annex out on Wetumpka Rd in Montgomery, where he remains so lonesome, he could cry.
Kevin Raub
* * *
Hank first emptied his lungs as a young boy from an organ bench inside Mt Olive West Baptist Church in rural Mt Olive, a 20-minute drive from Georgiana. On the way, you’ll pass the dilapidated Old Nixon House (on the corner of Nixon Rd and Hank Williams Memorial Dr) that Williams’ parents moved into as newlyweds. The Red Barn at 4683 Hank Williams Memorial Dr stands on the spot where Williams was born.
From Georgiana, head on Hwy 106 (westbound) to Hank Williams Memorial Dr and turn left.
* * *
* * *
TRIP INFORMATION
GETTING THERE
From Birmingham, take I-65 (southbound) to exit 114 for Georgiana.
DO
Ga-Ana Theater
This local theater (1939) where Hank performed at 16 with the Drifting Cowboys still hosts country gigs today. 334-376-9019; cnr E Railroad Ave & Jones St, Georgiana; cover $5-10
Hank Williams Boyhood Home & Museum
Quite the shrine to Hank, compiled from fan donations, inside the home he lived in from the age of seven to 11. 334-376-2555; 127 Rose St, Georgiana; adult/child $3/2; 10am-4pm Mon-Sat;
Hank Williams Fan Club House
More Hank memorabilia in this fan club hangout across from his boyhood home. Jam sessions and Hank powwows take place here. 334-376-9821; www.hankwilliamsinternationalfanclub.com; Rose St, Georgiana; by appointment
Hank Williams Memorial Oakwood Cemetery Annex
Hank is buried here alongside his wife, Audrey. A sign from Hank, Jr politely asks fans not to desecrate the grave site. Upper Wetumpka Rd, Montgomery; 7am-sunset
Hank Williams Museum
More elaborate than the Georgiana museum, this all-things-Hank stop includes his 1952 baby blue Cadillac and the suit he died in. 334-262-3600; 118 Commerce St, Montgomery; adult/child $8/3; 9am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat, 1-4pm Sun;
EAT & DRINK
Chris’ Hot Dogs
One of Hank’s favorite joints, from which he was thrown out on more than one occasion. 802-295-4600; 138 Dexter Ave, Montgomery; mains $2-6; 10am-7pm Mon-Thu & Sat, to 8pm Fri;
Nobles
Once the Elite Café, the last venue Hank performed in before he died. The retro- martini vibe these days makes it a decent spot to imbibe. 334-262-3326; 129 Montgomery St, Montgomery; 11am-2pm Tue-Fri & 5pm-late Tue-Sat
SLEEP
Hampton Inn
In a 1920s building, this is not your average Hampton Inn. Next door to the Hank Williams Museum. 334-265-1010; www.hamptoninn.com; 100 Commerce St, Montgomery; r $118-179;
Redmont Hotel
This historic option in downtown Birmingham was the last hotel hank Williams slept in before he died. 205-324-2101; www.theredmont.com; 2101 5th Ave N, Birmingham; r $139;
SUGGESTED READING
• Hank Williams: Snapshots from the Lost Highway, Colin Escott and Kira Florita
• Hank Williams: The Biography, Colin Escott, George Merritt and William MacEwen
• The Life and Times of Hank Williams, Arnold Rogers and Bruce Gidoll
USEFUL WEBSITES
www.800alabama.com
www.hankwilliamstrail.com
* * *
* * *
LINK YOUR TRIP www.lonelyplanet.com/trip-planner
TRIP