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Smithfield, North Carolina: Shadowhawk - Backyard Western Town (Closed)

A replica Wild West town was built in 1997 by former Hollywood actor Bill Drake in his large back yard. Bill passed away in 2017.

Visitor Tips and News About Shadowhawk - Backyard Western Town

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Shadow Hawk - Backyard Western Town

A Western town in some friendly guy's backyard. Many of the buildings are props (front only), but others are full-blown. An excellent setting for low-budget movies or videos.

Our kids got a kick out of the buildings and the humor in the signage. It looked like they might rent horses as well.

[eric schansberg, 07/03/2010]
Shadow Hawk - Backyard Western Town

Backyard western town. Bill was home and graciously took us around the town, explaining how he built everything, showed us pictures from his acting career, told us about a movie he is currently making and other movies and shows that were filmed there. Very interesting man and extremely nice.

[Terri Dunn, 08/01/2009]

Bill Drake.

Shadow Hawk - Backyard Western Town

Visited last weekend. They are filming another movie starting next weekend. Owner Bill Drake is a talent. He does with plywood what you usually see with concrete -- fabulous!

[Ric Carter, 05/05/2009]

Shadow Hawk.

Shadow Hawk - Backyard Western Town

Our Retreads motorcycle club contacted Bill and he invited us to his [backyard western] town. He is a very innovative and talented man. He built this town himself and you can image that an old town might have looked very much like this one. Bill was an excellent host and we enjoyed his town.

[mike lane, 01/07/2009]

May 2009 - Photo added.

Fake Old West town.

Shadow Hawk - Backyard Western Town

Old west town hand-built [out of scrap wood] by one man, [68-year old] William "Bill" Drake. Drake was a movie star in the 1960s and played in TV and movies. He played a town drunk in Bonanza, for example.

Drake built this replica western town including the Golden Nugget Saloon and brothel, a church, a hotel and a blacksmith shop, to name a few. The town is in his back yard.

[Gary, 12/18/2007]

The private western town was recently used as the set for the indy film "A Fist Full of Brains." May 2009 - Photo added.

Shadowhawk - Backyard Western Town

Directions:
I-95 exit 93 onto Brodgen Rd. Eight miles east to Brogden School Rd. 0.3 miles to Bonnie Ave. Private residence.
Hours:
June 2022: Reported closed.
Status:
Closed

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