Jamie Davis Writes

Hank Williams Jr.’s Unforgettable Stay at Andalusia Jail, Alabama

I was on tax lien business, but got side-tracked while walking in downtown Andalusia. Having never met a dilapidated building I did not itch to enter, I had to know more about the history of the Andalusia Jail and one of its more famous, ahem, guests.

When it comes to legendary country music icons, Hank Williams Jr. is a name that resonates with fans across the globe. Known for his powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, Hank Jr. has had a remarkable career. However, hidden within his journey is an intriguing story that involves an unexpected detour to the Andalusia Jail in Alabama. Join us as we delve into the tale of Hank Williams Jr.’s unforgettable stay in the heart of the South.

Situated in the charming city of Andalusia, Alabama, the Andalusia Jail holds a significant place in Hank Williams Jr.’s life story. Constructed in the early 1900s, this historic structure served as the local jail for many years. Little did anyone know that it would become the backdrop for a chapter in the life of one of country music’s biggest stars.

In the early 1980s, Hank Williams Jr. found himself in an unexpected predicament during a visit to Andalusia. While details surrounding the incident vary, it is widely believed that Hank Jr. was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. The local authorities promptly escorted him to the Andalusia Jail, where he checked in for a night behind its iron bars.

The Andalusia Jail’s walls witnessed a rare moment in music history as Hank Williams Jr. became an overnight guest. As the story goes, Hank Jr. made the most of his time in confinement, entertaining both fellow inmates and law enforcement personnel with his impromptu performances. Reports suggest that his charismatic personality and musical talents charmed even the sternest of jail personnel.

Hank Williams Jr.’s stay at the Andalusia Jail holds a unique place in his career and adds a colorful chapter to his personal narrative. While the incident may have been a low point at the time, it serves as a reminder of the resilience and spirit that have defined Hank Jr.’s life and music. It also showcases his ability to turn a challenging situation into an opportunity to connect with others through the power of his art.

During his time at the Andalusia Jail, Hank Williams Jr. experienced the support of his fans and the local community. News of his arrest spread quickly, and fans flocked to the jail, offering encouragement and demonstrating their unwavering loyalty. This incident served as a testament to the enduring bond between Hank Jr. and his devoted followers.

Hank Williams Jr.’s stay at the Andalusia Jail serves as a reminder that even the most iconic figures face challenges and setbacks along their journeys. It highlights the human aspect of his life and career and showcases the power of music to bring people together, even in unexpected places. For Hank Jr., this experience served as a moment of reflection, growth, and ultimately, redemption.

The Andalusia Jail’s association with Hank Williams Jr.’s life story adds a captivating layer to the rich tapestry of his legendary career. While his stay at the jail may have been brief, the impact and memories it created endure to this day. It serves as a testament to Hank Jr.’s resilience, his ability to connect with others, and the enduring bond between artists and their fans. The Andalusia Jail will forever hold a special place in the annals of country music history, reminding us that even in challenging moments, the spirit of music can prevail.

But is it haunted? It’s an abandoned jail next to a cemetery. What do you think?

How about this, for a scary story to tell in the dark: Deep in the heart of Andalusia, Alabama, stands the imposing Andalusia Jail, a place where fear and despair once reigned supreme. Its cold stone walls and creaking iron bars hold a history that whispers tales of darkness and sorrow. Gather closely, for I shall tell you a bone-chilling story that has been passed down through generations.

In the dead of an October night, a young journalist named Emily ventured into the desolate halls of the Andalusia Jail. Armed with only a flashlight and a brave spirit, she sought to uncover the truth behind the haunted rumors that shrouded the jail. As she stepped into the eerie silence, the air grew heavy with anticipation.

As Emily explored the dimly lit corridors, a chill slithered down her spine. Shadows danced and contorted along the walls, seemingly alive with an otherworldly presence. Ignoring her growing unease, she pressed on, determined to capture evidence of the supernatural.

Entering the solitary confinement area, Emily’s heart pounded in her chest. The oppressive atmosphere engulfed her, as if the very walls of the jail held the residual anguish of the souls once confined there. In the distance, a faint sound echoed—a whisper carried on the wind, words she could not decipher.

Undeterred by the unsettling surroundings, Emily continued her investigation. But as she turned a corner, her flashlight flickered, casting eerie shadows around her. Panic began to seep into her mind as the darkness threatened to engulf her completely.

Suddenly, a chilling wind swept through the corridor. The batteries died in her flashlight. Emily was plunged into pitch-black darkness, her heart pounding in her ears. Desperate, she fumbled for her backup light, her fingers trembling with fear.

As the beam of light cut through the darkness, Emily froze. Standing before her was a figure—pale and ethereal. Its eyes, devoid of life, stared at her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. It was a tormented soul, trapped between realms, forever bound to the haunted halls of the Andalusia Jail.

Emily’s instincts screamed at her to flee, but her legs refused to move. She was paralyzed by the ghostly presence that emanated from the figure. It slowly raised a hand, reaching out as if pleading for release from its eternal torment.

Summoning every ounce of courage, Emily forced herself to turn and run. Her footsteps echoed in the empty corridors as she sprinted toward the exit, the wails of the lost spirit haunting her every step.

Escaping the clutches of the Andalusia Jail, Emily emerged into the moonlit night, gasping for breath. She glanced back at the foreboding structure, vowing never to return. The ghostly encounter had left an indelible mark on her soul, a reminder that some horrors are best left undisturbed.

To this day, the Andalusia Jail stands as a chilling testament to the pain and suffering endured within its walls. Its haunted reputation continues to draw the curious and the brave, those who dare to confront the restless spirits that linger within, forever etched in the dark history of the Andalusia Jail. — My deepest thanks to Dall-E and ChatGPT for this production.

February 5, 2023 0

Hotel Oatman – A ChatGPT and Dall-E Production

A trip to Oatman, AZ via Route 66 out of Kingman, AZ. I realized I had almost no photos of the trip, and in particular, was largely missing images of the donkeys.

My first attempts (without reading the instructions first) at AI generation via descriptive text instructions:

I quite enjoy the “not quite right” images of the Oman Oten and the glassy-eyed evil donkeys. They are certainly creepier than the real thing, and perfect for a ghost story setting.

The prompt I entered into ChatGPT: “Write a blog post about a ghost story at the Oatman Hotel in Oatman, AZ.” The resulting story, verbatim, without edits:

Introduction: Nestled in the heart of the historic mining town of Oatman, Arizona, stands a legendary establishment that has witnessed its fair share of ghostly encounters. The Oatman Hotel, dating back to 1902, has a rich history and a haunting tale that has intrigued visitors from near and far. Join us as we delve into the chilling ghost story that surrounds this iconic Old West hotel.

The History of Oatman Hotel: Oatman Hotel was originally built to accommodate the influx of miners during the gold rush era. Its walls have witnessed the booms and busts of the mining industry and have welcomed famous personalities, including Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, who spent their honeymoon there in the 1930s. Today, the hotel retains its authentic Wild West charm and has become a popular tourist attraction.

The Ghostly Legend: Legend has it that the ghost of a former Oatman Hotel owner, known as “Oatie,” still lingers within its walls. According to local lore, Oatie was a charismatic and hospitable figure who loved the hotel dearly. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when he was murdered during a poker game in one of the hotel’s rooms. Since then, guests and staff have reported numerous paranormal occurrences, cementing the hotel’s reputation as a haunted destination.

Eerie Encounters: Visitors have shared spine-chilling tales of unexplained footsteps, disembodied voices, and inexplicable cold spots throughout the hotel. Some have claimed to see the ghostly figure of Oatie himself, dressed in period clothing, roaming the halls or peering out from a second-story window. Others have reported flickering lights, doors opening and closing on their own, and objects mysteriously moving from their original positions.

The Haunted Room: Among the hotel’s most haunted spots is Room 15, where Oatie’s untimely demise is said to have taken place. Guests who have stayed in this room have experienced strange phenomena, including unexplained knocking on the walls, furniture rearrangement, and an overwhelming feeling of being watched. Some even claim to have encountered the ghostly apparition of Oatie sitting at the edge of their bed.

Oatman’s Ghostly Appeal: Despite its eerie reputation, the ghostly encounters at Oatman Hotel have only heightened its appeal to brave visitors and paranormal enthusiasts. Ghost tours are offered, allowing guests to explore the haunted history of the hotel and perhaps catch a glimpse of the supernatural themselves. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the stories surrounding Oatman Hotel continue to fascinate and intrigue all who venture into its ghostly realm.

Conclusion: The Oatman Hotel in Oatman, Arizona, is not just a historic landmark but a place steeped in ghostly tales and unexplained phenomena. From the mysterious footsteps echoing through the halls to the apparition of the beloved former owner, Oatie, this haunted destination attracts those seeking a spine-tingling experience. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, a visit to the Oatman Hotel promises an intriguing journey into the haunted history of the Old West.

So, if you dare to delve into the mysteries of the past and explore the realms of the supernatural, Oatman Hotel awaits your presence. Brace yourself for an unforgettable encounter with the ghostly inhabitants that reside within its timeworn walls.

Watch out writers. ChatGPT is playing at a theatre near you.

October 20, 2022 0

Mammoth Cave National Park, KY, Floyd Collins and Crystal Cave

Before Mammoth Cave became a national park, there was an entirely different carnival in operation. In 1917, Floyd Collins discovered Crystal Cave on his family’s farm and was able to commercialize it into a show cave. It was too far from the main road, and in 1925, he entered into an agreement with his neighbors to explore and develop what would later become known as Sand Cave (and his first grave site). The Kentucky Cave Wars were in full swing. Floyd became trapped and perished in Sand Cave in February 1925.

There is so much about this place and this time. A series of interviews were conducted by William Burke “Skeets” Miller, a Louisville Courier-Journal reporter who interviewed the trapped Collins and helped with the rescue operations, and was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the tragedy. https://www.americanheritage.com/it-was-my-first-trip-cave#1

Last known words: Finally, almost sullenly, Collins answered: “No, I am not free.”

Sand Cave

This trail is easy to find off the main road into Mammoth Cave National Park. There is nothing that strikes me as particularly spooky or really even interesting about the area surrounding Sand Cave. It felt like nothing to me. Just another walk in the woods, despite knowing Floyd died right there.

The Floyd Collins homesite and the trail and entrance into Crystal Cave are an entirely different story. There is a lot of weirdness around this location in my experience. It is not an area that is marked by signage from the road. We asked a ranger at the back country permit booth how to find the homesite and he replied: “I don’t think we have that here.” (We would later find it, hours later, within 2-3 miles of where the ranger’s booth was, and of course, it is fully inside the park). Inside the Visitor Center, there are maps but the homesite and Crystal Cave are not marked locations on the map.

The instructions I received from the guide inside the Visitor Center were to get back onto Flint Ridge Road and to park at the Mammoth Cave Baptist Church on my left. Then, I would access the first gate on my left to find the homesite. These were wrong instructions. By this point, I am under the impression that the park guides are under direct instructions to deter visitors from finding the homesite and Crystal Cave. The REAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE: Leave the Visitor Center and get onto Flint Ridge Road. Drive past the Mammoth Cave Baptist Church, and drive past the first gated trail on the left. When you arrive at the second gated trail, there is a place to park and this is the correct trail to access the homesite. The walk is maybe 20-30 minutes from the gate.

We walked long enough that I almost turned around because I thought it was the wrong trail. Suddenly, we crested a hill and the light became different. Fuzzy. And then we were there, looking at the homesite. Anyone who reads anything about the lore of the area will know what I am talking about. How sometimes time is fuzzy in Mammoth Cave. Thinner.

Between the homesite and the ticket booth, there is a path to Crystal Cave. It is downright eerie, but beautiful. You can still see the old posts all along the trail down.

I had been reading Stephen King’s Dark Tower books all summer, and maybe I was just more sensitive than usual to doors. Maybe. Yet a few quotes summed up the sensation of place perfectly: “I will see you in the clearing at the end of the path,” and “Go then. There are other worlds than these.”

There is much mystery about Crystal Cave and the homesite. Troy Taylor recounts several tales of hauntings in Crystal Cave in “Down in the Darkness.” These are from former Geologists and Scientists at the park! One tale that sticks out involves a ringing phone coming from a disconnected phone line. Trust the science. I later found out that Floyd’s body was on display in a glass coffin inside Crystal Cave until 1989! So yeah, long story short, some people think he’s still around and this whole area is super strange.

One almost leaves with the sense that the National Park Service gave us Mammoth Cave so we would forget about Crystal Cave.

YouTube is a wealth of knowledge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAChd93qksc&t=2886s

Mammoth Cave Baptist Church

Maybe one day they will run tours again in Crystal Cave.

August 17, 2022 1

Updated photos from Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

June 10, 2022 0

A Walking Tour of Miner’s Delight / Hamilton City – WY

October 2, 2021 0

Bannack State Park – Dillon, MT

A short tour of one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in America: Bannack. We will start with two of the most fascinating buildings on site, the Masonic Lodge (still active, mind you) and School House, and the Hotel Meade.

Mason Lodge/School House

July 25, 2021 0

Jerome, AZ – October 2020

Are these Halloween spooks in Jerome, or permanent fixtures in Jerome? The Skeleton driving the one way taxi seems familiar, but I can’t be too sure.

Scenes from the shops and the street. Holy Family Church. Note the skeleton miner in the window of the church.

Black and white scenes. Views from the bottom of the hill.

We walked the streets and visited Jerome again. But this was as close as we got to the haunted hotel on the hill and the clubhouse.

October 25, 2020 0

Pressing Play: A Look Inside My Play Journal (Sedona)

Notes from a Play Journal.

Sedona Airport is the perfect fly-in day trip. You don’t even need car service or to get stuck in the infamous traffic loop to enjoy one of Sedona’s best hikes and restaurants. The Airport Loop trail is in very close walking distance to Red Rock Aviation Services, where you will tie down.

Mesa Grill overlooks the airport and offers the best tableside guacamole you are likely to find anywhere.

I really appreciate a destination that gives you a good taste of a venue without having to leave the premises!

October 1, 2020 0

Literary Characters Who Kept Journals: Matthew Rose Sorensen (Piranesi, Susanna Clarke)

For those fans of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, comes another highly anticipated release by Susanna Clarke. Piranesi lives in a magical home. A labyrinth, really. There is only one other occupant of the home (The Other), who visits and meets with Piranesi twice a week.

The world is Narnia-like, but replace winter with the coming tides. The story also reminded me of The World House, by Guy Adams. The Other is obsessed with discovering the Great and Secret Knowledge that is hidden somewhere inside the labyrinth, and Piranesi is assisting with this purpose, but slowly loses his belief in it and realizes that he just doesn’t care anymore. How did Piranesi come to this world? That is something that is explored through his journals!

In the very beginning of the story we learn that Piranesi writes down his observations in his notebooks, and that there are mysterious page gaps unaccounted for. Piranesi is also careful to make an index of all of his journals. I am in heaven! Be still my heart. Here is how Piranesi explains his indexing system: Page 14: “One of the drawbacks of keeping a journal is the difficulty of finding important entries again and so it is my practice to use one notebook as an index to all the others. In this notebook I have allocated a certain number of pages to each letter of the alphabet (more pages for common letters, such as A and C; fewer for letters that occur less frequently, for example Q and X). Under each letter I list entries by subject and where in my Journals they are to be found.”

The world building is quite engaging, and readers will have great fun unraveling the mysteries of The Other, and who exactly, is the good guy and who is the bad guy in this tale.

Pictured with the book is Pretty as a Peach, one of our Hardcover Notebooks. Each indexed book journal features 186 pages that are ruled and numbered for your ease of use. The numbered pages with an index will help keep you organized and make it easy to find your important entries. To really make your brain sing, we recommend that you use tabs and update your book journal’s index as necessary immediately after you have completed your journaling.

Secret Diary Journals are hardcover ruled notebooks made to resemble hardcover books that can easily be shelved in your living room or sit on a table at a coffee house without screaming: “I am a personal journal and I contain private thoughts. Pick me up and snoop!” Secret Diary Journals are designed to help you maintain your privacy when keeping your personal notes.

September 1, 2020 0