Hello friends! I don’t know what happened last week. My post didn’t publish. Murphy’s Law in action! But no matter. My bones were healed enough for hubby and me to explore “Hollywood visits Monroeville, Alabama.” We had so much fun getting away in this! If you’re interested, I’ll give you a tour of our vintage motorhome soon.
Do you know the significance of Monroeville? It is the hometown of Harper Lee. Who is Harper Lee? Harper Lee wrote “To Kill a Mockingbird,” earning a Pulitzer Prize for it in 1961. Subsequently, “To Kill a Mockingbird” was made into a very successful iconic movie. As you can imagine, the town is steeped in the history of the movie and Harper Lee.
Another well-known author, Truman Capote, spent his summers here, and was “Dill” in the movie.
The plot, based on Nelle Harper Lee’s father, a small town lawyer in the 30’s, was played by Gregory Peck. He was Atticus Finch in the movie, winning an Oscar as Best Actor for the role. He visited Monroeville, stayed in the local hotel, ate in the local diner so he could talk to Harper and prepare for the role, although it was not filmed in Monroeville.
Most of the exhibits were located in the old Courthouse, dating from 1903…
Hollywood based the famous courtroom scene inch for inch on this historic courthouse.
They were having a quilt show during our visit…look at that yo-yo quilt! I can do that…LOL….yeah right…well maybe.
Monroeville is a beautiful Deep South town, filled with mansions and old Southern houses with turrets and big wrap-around porches. Cotton fields abound on the outskirts of town. Unfortunately the historic homes of Harper Lee and Truman Capote no longer exist, but if you ever get to Monroeville, follow South Alabama Avenue to see these historic sites.
Right next door Truman Capote/Dill spent his summers. Only a few foundations, rock walls, and camellia bushes remain…
Remember “Boo Radley”? His character befriended the children from a distance leaving little trinkets for them in a big tree. He saved Scout’s life when she was attacked by the town drunk.
Just a couple of houses down from Harper Lee’s…the site of “Son” Boulware’s house, on whom the Boo Radley character was based.
This is the Monroe County Library…but it USED to be The LaSalle Hotel, where Gregory Peck stayed when he came to Monroeville back in the 60’s.
I was told this was original to the hotel, and I would have touched it, 🙂 but I doubt Peck sat in front of it when he was there.
Did I make time for thrift stores??? You betcha…TWICE…but I found NOTHING! In desperation, I made a pass through the local antique shop, and found one thing…
Have you seen this classic movie? I hope so! It won 3 Oscars, and is considered to be one of the best ever made. It was an immediate hit earning 10 times its budget. I will be watching it again soon for the bazillionth time.
Hope you enjoyed Hollywood visits Monroeville Alabama! Let me know in the comments if you want to tour a vintage motorhome!
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Florence
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Thanks for the tour. To Kill a Mocking Bird is one of my all time favorite books.
Mine too Sharon! You can tell I love the movie!
Florence, one of my all time favorite books and movies! Great post and LOVE that yo-yo quilt–maybe we should both whip one up 😉 Have a great week!
Yes it is one of my favorite movies! It’s been a while since I read the book, but I wouldn’t mind reading it again.
I’d love to tour the vintage motor home! I dream about hitting the road in a motor home! I think a month or two would do it!
I’ll have to watch To Kill a Mockingbird again sometime, or read the book, which I don’t think I have.
Thanks Fonda! It will be fun for me to give a tour of the motorhome. Oh do read the book! You will enjoy it as well as the movie again!
Too bad they tore down those historic houses! All in the name of progress, most likely.
I think I read Harper Lee’s father tore their house down, but I hate when it happens. I love the old buildings!
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour, Florence. To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite book and movie. Let us see your RV.
Glad you enjoyed it Donna! So glad to know everyone knows “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
What a neat tour! Glad you’re feeling well and were able to get out and about! : )
Thank you Kim!
Florence, this trip looks great, so glad you’re able to get out and about!!! 🙂 Your motor home is awesome; I would love a tour. Thanks for taking us through Monroeville. I love the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, and I’ve seen the movie several times, both wonderful!! I knew Harper Lee was friends with Truman Capote but I didn’t know that she based the character, Dill, off of him. Learn something new everyday huh? The town looks neat, too bad Lee’s and Capote’s homes are no longer there. Btw, the quilts in the courthouse are beautiful!
Wow, glad I could tell you something you didn’t know Keri! Thanks for the encouragement on the motorhome tour. It’ll be in line.
What a fun place to visit. Thanks for sharing it here. We have a Monroeville here in PA but its no way near as interesting.
Aww, thank you Patti! Appreciate your comment!
Florence, I did not know that Robert Duvall was Boo Radley! Fun post!
Oh yes! I was surprised too the first time I heard it.
Interesting place…but I could not help starting longingly at your lovely motor home!
Thank you Janet! Vintage motorhome tour coming soon!
What an interesting town! I have never seen the movie, but did read the book. Oh, and yes please to a tour of your motorhome!!
Oh Maureen! You must see the movie too! You will enjoy it! It’s one of my favorites. Vintage motorhome post coming soon!
Now I need to reread the book or see the movie again. It looks like you had a wonderful time and it was so interesting. Did you buy the phone? My aunt had one like it and I thought it was the coolest thing. I am showing my age. I can’t wait for your tour of the vintage motor home. And I am glad you are finally feeling better.
Oh yes, feeling better! Hope you decide to see the movie again…I have decided to read it again b/c it’s been a long time since I read it. Yes bought the phone & it’s in my Etsy shop. I don’t think I ever had the Princess phone myself, but I thought they were the coolest!
What a fun post, Florence. I’m glad you took a trip, this was such an interesting place, thank you for taking all of us with you. xo
Thank you Lidy! Glad you enjoyed it!!
You are lucky to have visited the site. What an experience! I think you should’ve touched the columns, I bet Gregory touched them too 🙂
You know, you’re right! Should have done that! Glad we went too, b/c it’s about 4-5 hrs drive away. I have been wanting to visit Monroeville a long time.
Fun read! Thx for sharing:)
Thank you Laura! So glad you found me & enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed reading this post because I love the movie. I didn’t know that Boo was Robert Duvall! I learned some interesting facts, so thanks for sharing with us. And I love your little white dog!
Thanks Carol! I was glad so many people could relate to this!
Florence would you believe that I have never read that book? I’ve read Truman’s famous one but never Harper Lee’s. Shame on me. I really enjoyed your tour of Monroeville thought. And I am so glad to see that you are feeling better.
Thank you Mary! You MUST see the movie! {or read the book} either of which you would enjoy.
Florence, I absolutely love the book To Kill a Mockingbird. But I’ve not seen the movie. Shocker! My entire family loves to watch movies and can sit and watch a movie after movie. I’d love to read but sitting and watching movies makes me nervous I need to always be doing something while I watch. But I will definitely look for this on Netflix, I would love to see the area that you visited. Or a resemblance of it anyways. What a cool trip. I would love to see the inside of your motorhome. With my APS it is hard for me to ride in a car, it gets very painful after an hour or so. A motorhome sounds perfect to me I can put my legs up and it would be just like being at home. I would love to see the inside of yours, it is a dream to have one someday. I’m really happy that you felt well enough for the trip and that you had a great time!
Hi Nikki! So surprised you haven’t seen the movie either…think you would enjoy it. I know what you mean about having to be doing something while watching. I’m that way too unless a movie totally grabs my interest. Yes Monroeville was so fun for me b/c I do love the movie. Wish I could have been around when Gregory Peck came to town! I’m going to do a motorhome post soon. It would probably help your problem to travel in one. It’s true you can lie on the sofa or in a recliner while riding down the road. I can’t though. Have to help hubby stay awake on those days he gets sleepy while driving.
I have been reading To kill a mockingbird for months since I do not have too much time, but I definately love it. Can’t wait to head to Monroeville. Thanks for sharing.
Hope you do go to Monroeville Thomas, & enjoy it! Glad you are reading the book. I need to read it again myself.