Smithfield, North Carolina: Shadowhawk: Backyard Western Town

We started thinking the GPS had the wrong information after we started driving through a neighborhood. But what awaited us was well worth the confusion. The guy that owns it and maintains this backyard western world was in the saloon, where he talked to us about his books and precious acting career. Very cool place.

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.

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.

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!

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.