I recently piloted my pickup along the smooth black ribbon of pavement surrounding beautiful Lake Guntersville. Eventually, I took a road that led slightly off the beaten path and guided me to my destination. Not far from the largemouth bass, sandy shores and glistening water was the time machine I have been searching for all my life … a unique pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It is officially called “The Barn at Conners Island,” but most refer to it simply as “The Barn.” My hungry eyes salivated at the antique cars, vintage toys, old license plates, metal lunch boxes, television memorabilia and advertising signs that once hung in country stores. There was only one problem upon my arrival – I didn’t want to leave...
The Barn at Connors Island
Story by Steve A. Maze Photos by David Moore
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andy Yates and his wife, Dee, acquired the Guntersville property on Conners Island where The Barn sits 15 years ago, even though it had been in her family for many years prior. Randy planned to use the building to store vintage memorabilia and antique cars he had acquired over the past 15 years. Among the vehicles are replicas of those used on “The Dukes of Hazzard” television show. Randy grew up watching the Dukes, which aired from 1979-85. It was one of the top-rated shows of its day and, as with many viewers, he got hooked. “The Dukes first aired when I had just turned 4 years old,” he says. “Friday nights were always special at my house. My father and I would watch the Dukes together, and afterward Mom would watch ‘Dallas’ to see who shot J.R. Those memories have always been precious to me.” Among his Dukes automobile collection is the orange 1969 Dodge Charger that was famously known as the “General Lee,” over 300 of which were crashed during the making of the television series. 56
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Others include a 1977 Plymouth Fury that served as the patrol car for the sheriff in the Dukes, Rosco P. Coltrane, played by actor James Best; a 1973 Plymouth Daisy Roadrunner, only seen during the first year of the show and named after character Daisy Duke played by Catherine Bach; and the 1979 CJ7 Jeep known as the “Dixie.” Randy is a full-blown collector.
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hree years ago, Randy put together a Dukes of Hazzard traveling museum containing tons of memorabilia from the show. Dukes toys, all in their original packaging, lunch boxes, autographed photos and many other items draw thousands to the museum at the various venues he visits throughout the Southeast.
