See more
Where did Earl Hamner grow up?
His childhood experiences growing up in the Nelson County home with his parents and seven siblings inspired many of the events in the classic TV show. Hamner was the real "John Boy" in the show, which was based on his book, Spencer's Mountain.
Was Earl Hamner's mother Italian?
He was born in Schuyler, Virginia, where his father, Earl Sr, was a soapstone miner, having abandoned tobacco farming in the James river valley. His mother, Doris (nee Giannini), was descended from an Italian immigrant who planted the vineyards in Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate.
Did Earl Hamner grow up in Virginia?
Though the names might be different Earl Hamner based the show on his memories of growing up in rural Virginia with his family during the depression.
Where did the Hamner family live?
The Waltons first aired over twenty-five years ago and nothing has since been the same for the Hamner family. From-time-to-time, the Hamners visit their home town of Schuyler, Virginia and reminisce about the last two-plus decades.
What did Earl Hamner's father do for a living?
Hamner was born on July 10, 1923, in Schuyler, Va., the oldest of eight children (five boys, three girls, all red-headed). His father, Earl Sr., worked as a machinist at the DuPont factory in Waynesboro, Va., and lived in a boarding house before heading back to the family in Schuyler on weekends.
Was Ike Godsey a real person?
In addition to the Walton characters, other roles, such as the “recipe-making” Baldwin sisters and General Store owner, Ike Godsey were also inspired by real people.
Is the real Walton house still standing?
The original house that served as the backdrop to Hamner's childhood was built in the early 20th century in the village of Schuyler in Nelson County, where it still stands today.
Are any of Earl Hamner's family still alive?
The last one aired in 1997. Hamner, whose own family included two children, is survived by his wife, Jane; son, Scott; and daughter, Caroline.
Is the real John-Boy Walton still alive?
In real life, John-Boy was indeed Hamner, creator and narrator of the show as well as author of Spencer's Mountain. Now he is gone. He was 92, a veteran of World War II, one of America's best-loved writers and, as the narrator of The Waltons, a much-loved voice.
Is there really a Boatwright College in Virginia?
Boatwright University was inspired by Richmond College The fictional alma mater of John-Boy Walton was based on Richmond College, which became the University of Richmond.
Does Walton Mountain exist?
The main story is set in Walton's Mountain, a fictional mountain community in the fictitious Jefferson County, Virginia. The real place upon which the stories are based is the community of Schuyler in Nelson County, Virginia.
Did Jim Bob Walton become a pilot?
The character Jim Bob had one ambition: to learn to fly an airplane. While he was medically unfit for the Air Corps, in the final movies he had indeed become a pilot, flying crop dusting and charter flights. The only sibling on the series who had his own room in the house was John-Boy.
What was Earl Hamner's mother name?
Doris GianniniEarl Hamner Jr. / Mother
Who was Mary Ellen Walton based on?
Marion Hamner HawkesMarion Hamner Hawkes, 74, who inspired the strong, sometimes feisty tomboy character of Mary Ellen on television's “The Waltons,” died of liver and kidney failure Monday at a hospice in Williamsburg, Va.
Was The Waltons based on Earl Hamner's life?
As a novelist, he is best known for Spencer's Mountain, which was inspired by his own childhood and formed the basis for both the film of the same name and the television series The Waltons, for which he provided voice-over narration. Earl Hamner Jr.
Are any of Earl Hamner's family still alive?
The last one aired in 1997. Hamner, whose own family included two children, is survived by his wife, Jane; son, Scott; and daughter, Caroline.
Who is Earl Hamner?
Below is an obituary written by Earl's devoted friend, James Person. Earl Hamner (1923-2016) Best known as the creator, executive producer , and warm narrative voice of the long-running television series The Waltons, writer Earl Hamner died Thursday, March 24, ...
Why is Hamner immortal?
He is immortal . . . because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. . . . The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.". Hamner kept a typed copy of those words tacked to the wall of his office.
How many times did Hamner win the Christopher Award?
Hamner kept a typed copy of those words tacked to the wall of his office. He won the Christopher Award five times and also took home the coveted George Foster Peabody Award in 1972 and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama (Continuing) in 1973 for The Waltons.
Who is Earl Hamner?
Who was Earl Hamner Jr.? Earl Hamner Jr. was an American television writer, novelist, and producer best known for his work in the 1970s long-running television series ‘The Waltons’. Born in Schuyler, Virginia, as the oldest son of a soapstone mill worker, he had a tough childhood.
Where did Earl Hamner Jr. work?
Earl Hamner Jr. started working in the army in 1943 in his sophomore year at the University of Richmond during World War II. He was first trained to diffuse landmines before being transferred to Quartermaster Corps in Paris because of his typing abilities. He served in France after the invasion of Normandy. In March 1946, he left the army and returned to Virginia where he got a job in the country music radio station WMBG in Richmond as a trainee in the program department. He soon left his job to complete his studies.
Where did the Redheads come from?
His mother’s ancestors were immigrants from Lucca, Italy, who had come to USA in the 1700s, and his father’s family came to Virginia from Wales. He was the oldest among eight children and had four brothers and three sisters, all redheads.
What is the name of the series that Spencer Hamner created?
He created two less successful series, Apple's Way (1974–1975) and Boone (1983–1984). Hamner used family names to title his projects: Spencer (Spencers Mountain) is the maiden name of his paternal grandmother Susan Henry Spencer Hamner.
How many episodes of Twilight Zone did Hamner have?
He reprised the theme in the 1964 "You Drive" episode of The Twilight Zone. Hamner contributed with eight episodes, in the early 1960s, to the CBS science fiction series The Twilight Zone. His first script acceptance for the series was his big writing break in Hollywood.
Who are Earl Hamner's grandparents?
Marian Hamner, the oldest daughter. Earl Hamner's Grandparents, The Giannini's. A man's man, Earl Hamner Sr., was a very earthy character. On Sundays after Doris had carted the children to church he could be found making his way down the same path towards the river for some fishing. He liked to curse, hunt and drink.
Who was Doris Hamner?
Doris Hamner was a proud, honest Baptist mother and wife who ruled the activities inside the Hamner home. The children had plenty of freedom but were wise to follow rules and complete their chores beforehand. Doris Hamner continued to live in the family home after her husband Earl Sr. passed away.
Who were the Waltons born in 1923?
Growing up with the Family - The REAL Waltons. Born July 10th, 1923 Earl Hamner Jr. was the first child of Earl Sr. and Doris Hamner. Six years older than the next sibling, Earl was certainly looked up to by the younger children. From the left: Brothers Bill (Ben), Paul (Ben), cousin Janet, sisters Nancy (Elizabeth), Marian (Mary Ellen), ...
Who was the oldest child in the family?
She was doted on by the older children especially James. She is seen her at the end of her walkway. Notice the color of the house in the backgound. Marian Hamner , the oldest daughter.
Where is Earl Hamner Jr.'s childhood home?
You have arrived at the ‘Real’ Walton’s Mountain. Come, sit on the porch and stay awhile.
When did the Hamners buy the Schuyler house?
The Hamners bought the home in 1929 when Earl Sr. worked as a machinist for The Alberene Stone Company. You now have 2 choices on your next visit to Schuyler. Stay in one of the Depression era rooms at John & Olivia's Bed & Breakfast or larger families or groups can book the entire original Walton Hamner House.
What TV shows did Earl of Waltons write?
Best known for creating the TV shows 'Falcon Crest' and 'The Waltons', Earl wrote his entire life, creating many stories, scripts and novels.
Is the Walton Hamner House affiliated with the Walton Mountain Museum?
The Walton Hamner House and the Walton Mountain Museum are not affiliated and charge separate admission prices.
