History Was Made At Virginia's Burger Bar, Where Country Singer Hank Williams Reportedly Spoke His Last Words
By Beth|Published November 22, 2021
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Over the centuries, Virginia has borne witness to countless legendary historical events. It’s also seen some lesser-known events that are no less fascinating. One of them is steeped in a bit of folklore yet is captivating nonetheless. It centers around a humble small-town burger bar, which is rumored to be the spot that country singer icon Hank Williams reportedly muttered his last words in 1952.
Passing by Burger Bar in Bristol, Virginia, you'll immediately notice the charming red awning and retro vibe of this beloved local burger joint. And if you're hungry for lunch, you owe it to yourself to stop by.
What you may not know is that over 70 years ago, Hank Williams himself also passed through town. It was New Year's Eve of 1952, and the legendary country singer was being driven from Montgomery, Alabama, to Canton, Ohio, where he was scheduled to play on New Year's Day.
The singer simply uttered the word "no," and the two continued on towards West Virginia. Hours later, when the driver tried to make conversation again, he heard no reply from Williams, who had evidently passed away just shortly after leaving Virginia.
In fact, some will even make a pilgrimage to Burger Bar in order to honor this country icon. When you visit Burger Bar today, you'll notice photos and drawings of Williams are just about everywhere.
The current owners of Burger Bar bought the restaurant on the 60th anniversary of Williams' death and have committed to honoring his memory and preserving the classic 1950s feel of the eatery.
Some of the most popular burgers and menu items are even named after famous Hank Williams songs. And while the singer may not have stopped into the restaurant on that fateful New Year's Eve, he did reportedly frequent the diner when passing through on tour.
Did you know that Hank Williams may have uttered his last words at this small-town burger restaurant in Virginia? Have you ever visited Burger Bar? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below. For more information, you can follow Burger Bar on Facebook.
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