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Coalwood, West Virginia: Space Shuttle Replica

Poised for liftoff, a replica honored local kid turned NASA engineer Homer Hickham and the Rocket Boys (title of his book that became the movie "October Sky"). The shuttle's been sent back to NASA apparently, but Hickham fans can see Homer's boyhood home and rocket launch site.

Address:
Hwy 2, Coalwood, WV
Directions:
In the town park, next to Hwy 2 on the west side of town. West of Mudhole Branch Rd.
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Launch site sign.

Shuttle Monument

Coalwood has a replica of the Space Shuttle. You can also see the boyhood home of Homer Hickam, author of "The Rocket Boys" and basis for the "October Sky" movie. Fans can head out to Homer's rocket launch site.

There's also a yearly Rocket Boys festival.

[Mark Turner, 01/31/2011]
Home of the Rocket Boys, Shuttle Monument

There's a monument to Homer Hickham, who wrote "The Rocket Boys" on which the movie "October Sky" is based. It's a miniature replica of a space shuttle poised on a rocket, ready to launch.

This is Homer's actual hometown, not the movie location, which used buildings and settings in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Oliver Springs has an October Sky Museum.

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 02/10/2007]

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In the region:
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