In Search of Walton's Mountain Virginia
Earl Hamner Created a World in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
Oct 6, 2009
For the many thousands who watched The Waltons show week after week, the fairytale characters personified what many thought to be the ideal American family. What may followers did not realise, however, was that the series was based on the family of its creator, Earl Hamner Junior.
A True American Family Struggling During the Depression
The Hamner family were raised in Schuyler, Virginia. The extended family consisted of the Grandparents, the Mother and Father, and several children. Earl Hamner Junior is the writer and he tells the story of his family and its struggles through the eyes of his character, John Boy Walton. thus the Waltons became the name of the on-screen family.
When travelling through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the little community that is Schuyler, visitors are surprised to find that many of the places mentioned in the television series actually existed, and still do in some cases. The chapel, for example, and the school, although the original Ike Godsey’s store unfortunately burnt down.
The Hamner’s house still stands and was the model for the home that featured in the series. Residents of Schuyler are now well-used to Waltons fans visiting their small town.
The Waltons characters were based on Earl Hamner’s own family and many of the stories that became part of the well-known series originated from fact.
Famous Films and Television Series
The success all started with Earl Hamner’s first book, Spencer’s Mountain. This was made into a film in the early 1960’s. The first television pilot for the series that was to follow was The Homecoming. Thereafter the television series The Waltons ran for many years and was highly successful. The wholesome family stories were popular with young and old alike.
For many it is still a surprise that the place that was known as Walton's Mountain actually exists and is not just a forgotten set in Warner Brothers studios in Hollywood.
Travelling through the area, familiar names such as Rockfish and Charlottesville are bound to stir the memories of a time when life was more tranquil. A time when children had respect for their elders, and family life and values was the most important aspect of living in small town America in the 1930’s.
The television series continues to be shown both in America and England and around the world, perhaps reminding viewers of those days when life was much simpler and small communities supported one another. A reminder of how things used to be.
The catchphrase that will always be on the lips of fans are the words always spoken by the family at the end of the day.
"Goodnight, John Boy".
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