Cars & Confederate Flags – A Visit to Cooter’s Dukes of Hazzard Museum in Luray, Virginia
Cars & Confederate Flags – A Visit to Cooter’s Dukes of Hazzard Museum in Luray, Virginia
Do you remember The Dukes of Hazzard, the wild TV show from the late 1970s and early 1980s about two brothers on probation for moonshine running?
The series followed Bo and Luke Duke as they tore across Hazzard County in their bright orange 1969 Dodge Charger, the General Lee, usually one step ahead of Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane and his boss, the perpetually scheming Boss Hogg. (Boss Hogg, by the way, was played by Sorrell Booke, a Korean War veteran whose Everyday Patriot story is worth a read.)
The show, inspired by the 1975 film Moonrunners, was incredibly popular in its day, second only to Dallas for a time, but it hasn’t aged well. Between the moonshine references and the Confederate flag painted on the General Lee’s roof, the show’s brand of Southern charm feels… complicated, to say the least. Still, its take on small-town corruption and good-hearted rebellion might be as timely now as ever.
When Fish and I spotted Cooter’s Dukes of Hazzard Museum on a back road near Luray, Virginia, we knew we had to stop.
The museum was created by Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport, the Dukes’ loyal mechanic and friend. Jones’s history with the show dates back to its origins: he also appeared in Moonrunners before taking on his iconic role on television.
After The Dukes of Hazzard ended in 1985, Jones turned to politics, serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for Georgia. When he left Congress in 1994, he returned briefly to acting, appearing in films like Primary Colors and Meet Joe Black. Eventually, he retired to Virginia, settled near Shenandoah National Park, and opened the museum in 1999 as both a tribute to the show and a gathering place for fans.
Inside, it’s pure nostalgia. There are original costumes, signed photos, vintage lunchboxes, and replica sets, including a 1980s living room complete with plaid couches and an old box TV playing reruns. You can even pose beside life-sized cutouts of Daisy Duke or take a selfie with the General Lee.
There’s also a small recording studio where visitors can sing the show’s theme song, “Good Ol’ Boys.” (Fish and I decided to spare everyone’s ears and skip that part.)
Jones himself still performs with his band on weekends, and the museum regularly hosts car shows, small festivals, and live music events. Unfortunately, our visit fell on a quiet Wednesday, no music, but plenty of character.
A small gift shop offers every imaginable piece of Dukes of Hazzard memorabilia, from ornaments and T-shirts to miniature General Lees. There’s even a barbecue stand next door serving up sandwiches and sweet tea.
It’s a free attraction and one of those rare spots where pop culture, nostalgia, and a bit of awkward American history all meet under one roof.
For fans of classic TV, it’s definitely worth the detour, just don’t try to jump any bridges on your way out.
xoxo,
a.d. elliott
****** *********************************
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.
In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com
Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com
#TaketheBackRoads
Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and webshop or buying me a cup of coffee!
Comments
Post a Comment