Found some Hamner family photos we took in the 80s

[tennesseestorm]

Going through some old family photos a couple of weeks ago, I ran across these old photos that appears to have been taken with our old camera. These are actual photos that we had developed I believe, as we visited the area back in the late 1980s, which is when these appear to have been taken. I dont recall the date on the photos... I will have to get them back out and look- I think it was 1987 or 1988? I was pretty young, so I dont remember this very well, but do remember going in either the museum or that little rock type store. Someone correct me if I am wrong and these were mass-produced photos, but I dont think they were, because the photos were printed on your standard polaroid photo paper. I know Earl and his mother are in this photo and I think one of his sisters, but I dont know the other younger lady. I will find that other photo and post it too. Thanks!



and I guess one we took of the house (I have another one of these when we went last in 2004).

[jackiladypoet]

Very nice...nothing like family memories ...love those smiles...it shows LOVE

[ncwaltonsfan]

Earl is pictured with his mother,Doris,and his sister,Audrey,the real-life Erin. I have no idea either who the lady on the right is. The picture looks like it was made at the Walton's Mountain Country Store,off U.S. 29. I always enjoyed my visits there. The store has unfortunately closed. I have also been by the Hamner house. Nelson County is a very beautiful place.

[tennesseestorm]

Thanks. Yes, I have a photo of that country store (outside) as well that I will soon post. I remember us standing outside of the building. I am only sorry I was not old enough to remember it more. I think when I went in that day, I was expecting to see Ellen Corby, Richard Thomas, etc.

I am not sure about that younger lady... it may have been someone in our family, as we had some other family members with us, but I dont recognize her. My grandmother was with us then and she would probably know, but she passed away in August of 2005, so I may never know.

Perhaps the young lady on the right is one of the grandchildren? Maybe Earl will pop in here and know more about it.

[Brenda]

These are great pictures. Looking forward to seeing more when you get the time.

Brenda

[tennesseestorm]

Thanks Brenda! I only wish I knew the exact dates on the photos. These were my grandmothers photos I believe and she was not good about writing dates on photos like my mother was/is.

Well, I found the one of the country store that someone said was now closed and I found another taken at "Ikes" store the same time that the above photos were taken. Like someone else said, I think that photo of Earl and his mother and sister were taken inside of the country store. I can so very vaguely being in there and them inside and us taking photos. At the time though, I was only about 11 or 12 and was not a Waltons fan at the time... that didnt happen until about 1996 when I was 19.

Enjoy

[ncwaltonsfan]

My sister lives in Charlottesville and e-mailed me an article from the Charlottesville newspaper saying the store had closed. I was sorry when I found out. That was a stop for me on U.S. 29 whenever I went home to North Carolina after visiting my sister.

[tennesseestorm]

Thats disappointing. I wonder why it closed? Lack of funds?

[ncwaltonsfan]

I think the owner passed away and her children did not want to be burdened with running it so they closed the store. It seems I remember reading that in the article.

[lorijean]

My daughter and I were down there in April 2008. The store was still open but it was for sale then. Of course, that set us to dreaming to buy the store, set it up just as it appeared on the show and live down there. LOL Wouldn't it be neat to own a store like Ike Godsey's General Merchandise and have all the neighborhood children come in for the penny candy!!!!!!

[ncwaltonsfan]

Thanks,Lorijean. They might have closed it temporarily, I do not know. Thanks for the correction.

[tennesseestorm]

Thanks for that info. Yeah, that would be a dream to do that to the store or any store... an exact replica of one on the show.

I just noticed that both stores have Pepsi machines in front. No Coke. You can tell by the style of the machines that it was the 1980s.

[ncwaltonsfan]

Jul 5, 2009 20:37:39 GMT -5 tennesseestorm said:

I just noticed that both stores have Pepsi machines in front. No Coke. You can tell by the style of the machines that it was the 1980s.

I'm reminded of that sketch on "Saturday Night Live" when John Belushi played a restaurant owner who said, "No Coke, Pepsi". ;D