at age 92. 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.

Is there a real Walton's Mountain?

While the television series took place on a fictional "Walton's Mountain," in Virginia, and the book on "Spencer's Mountain" in Wyoming, both are actually based on Hamner's hometown of Schuyler, VA. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that the Walton's Mountain Museum is located right here in Schuyler, VA.

Are any of the Hamner family still alive?

Bill Hamner (l) died in 1989. His wife, Brenda, lives in the Richmond, Virginia area. Bill's three children are Harold, Hope and Gail. Paul Hamner (r) lives in Tom's River, New Jersey and is retired from the Baker Shoe Store chain.

Where did the Waltons grow up?

In fact, they go down to its very roots. As the creator and writer of the show, he based the characters of the Walton family members, neighbors, tradespeople and the town itself on his own life and family growing up in Schuyler, Virginia during the Depression era.

Where did Earl Hamner go to college?

Hamner attended the University of Richmond and later transferred to North Western University. He worked as a census-taker, a truck driver, a dispatcher for a transfer company, a typewriter for civil war diaries, and a radio actor. He worked as a writer for WLW in Cincinnati and a staff writer for NBC New York.

Up Close And Personal With Paul Hamner

44 related questions found

Did Earl Hamner serve in ww2?

Born in Nelson County, Hamner served in the Army during World War II (1939–1945) before attending Northwestern University and the University of Cincinnati.

Where was the Waltons filmed?

While filmed on location in California, the fictional Walton family would have been at home in the tiny town of about 300 residents 40 minutes southwest of Charlottesville, Va., in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

What happened to the Baldwin sisters on the Waltons?

Helen Kleeb passed away just shy of her 97^th birthday in late December, 2003. Two years later, Mary Jackson died shortly after her 95^th birthday in December of 2005.

Why was John Boy replaced on the Waltons?

He famously played John-Boy Walton on the beloved show. However, a few years before the final episode of the show aired, Thomas left the cast. ... According to the news agency, Thomas had won an Emmy Award for his work on “The Waltons.” However, “in 1977 he decided to quit the series to pursue other opportunities.”

Can you visit the Waltons house in Virginia?

The Waltons Hamner House is open seven days a week and guided tours begin every half hour from 10am until 4pm.

Why did Erin and Paul divorce on the Waltons?

Erin and Paul end up having three kids together: Susan, Amanda, and Peter. Although it's Erin's most successful relationship, it doesn't really end too spectacularly. It is later revealed during one of the reunion movies that the two got divorced because Paul was unfaithful.

What happened to Ben's wife Cindy on the Waltons?

Cindy Walton (formerly Cindy Brunson) is the wife of Benjamin Walton, they were married in the Tv series and had a daughter Virginia also goes by Ginny she died from accidental drowning at a young age, they also had a son Charles he was born on Mothers Day on Waltons Mountain but was never seen or mentioned again after ...

Is Spencer's Mountain a true story?

This is all based on the autobiographical novel "Spencer's Mountain" by Earl Hamner Jr., which even more famously became "The Waltons" when adapted for television in the 1970s. "Clay Spencer" was changed to "John Walton". It was the last appearance for veteran Donald Crisp, who has little to do but does it well.

Is the original Walton house still standing?

The show aired from 1971-1981 and won an Emmy in 1974. 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.

Did the cast of The Waltons get along?

The show starred actors including Eric Scott, Mary Beth McDonough, Philip Leacock, and more, and having spent so much time together over the years, it is likely that they all had a great relationship.

Was Ralph Waite fired from the Waltons?

Waite left his full-time role after eight seasons yet appeared in eight episodes of the final season. Richard Thomas, who played John-Boy Walton, lasted five seasons and returned in a guest-starring role in the sixth season.

Did Ellen Corby have a stroke?

Corby in 1969 trained as a teacher of transcendental meditation. She had a stroke in November 1976 from which she recovered and returned to her role on The Waltons in March 1978.

What actresses played the Baldwin sisters on The Waltons?

The Baldwin sisters, played by Helen Kleeb and Mary Jackson, were quirky yet refined and brought all kinds of storylines to “The Waltons.” One of the most notable (and funny) scenes with the sisters included them sharing tastes of their father's “recipe” (moonshine) to neighbors and passersby.

Where in Virginia is Walton's Mountain?

Located twenty-five miles south of Charlottesville in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountain range you will find the small hamlet of Schuyler.

Where is the original Walton's truck?

The original truck is housed in the Walmart Heritage Museum in Bentonville. The museum's director, Alan Dranow, called Walton's truck a “symbol of humility” and frugality. “It's not just a pickup. It's not just a truck.

Was The Waltons based on a real family?

Lies the small town of Schulyer, Virginia, home of the Hamner family – the real-life family on which the Waltons were based. The mountain town of Schuyler is home to about 400 residents, and there the two-story Hamner family home still stands.