Wayne in Wayne County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Cool Hand Luke

1966

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 22, 2022

1. Cool Hand Luke Marker

Inscription. As part of his research of the Appalachian dialect for the film Cool Hand Luke, Paul Newman arrived at Tri-State Airport in September of 1966. Newman's friend Sargent Shriver, who had worked with his brother-in-law John F. Kennedy's campaign in West Virginia, placed the actor in contact with Farmers Home Administration State Director A. James Manchin and Andy Houverous. Manchin in turn contacted his local administrator, John D. Jones to help orchestrate Newman's low-key travels through Wayne and Cabell counties. Eventually, Newman, Manchin Houverous and Jones made their way to the town of Wayne where Newman spoke with the men whittling on the courthouse lawn while recording their voices with a handheld tape recorder. Jones then introduced Newman to his staff at the Burgess Ferguson Building in town. As a result, the people of Wayne played an integral role in the creation of Paul Newman's character in the film.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1966.

Location. 38° 13.293′ N, 82° 26.538′ W. Marker

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is in Wayne, West Virginia, in Wayne County. It is on Hendricks Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 530 Hendricks St, Wayne WV 25570, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Kyova Tri-State Region

and in the Southern Coalfields.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hendricks Street (a few steps from this marker); World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Wayne County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Wayne Was Home to Two Confederate Colonels (within shouting distance of this marker); Milton J. Ferguson (within shouting distance of this marker); Wayne (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 22, 2022

2. Cool Hand Luke Marker

Wayne County Veteran's Association, Inc. Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Amanda Smith (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wayne.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 385 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.