Oakdale Farms in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
George D. Hay
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
1. George D. Hay Marker
Hall of Fame
Elected 1966
George D. Hay
The Solemn Old Judge. A Memphis newspaperman-turned -radio announcer, George D. Hay carried his love for country music to radio _ _ first in Chicago and then Nashville, as the man who originated the Grand Ole Opry. He appeared as Master of Ceremonies for nearly 30 years on the Opry until his retirement and was instrumental in furthering the careers of hundreds of performers.
Erected 1968.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Communications • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 36° 55.597′ N, 76° 15.694′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Oakdale Farms. It can be reached from Granby Street half a mile south of East Bayview Boulevard, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located within Forest Lawn Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8100 Granby Street, Norfolk VA 23505, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads, specifically in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: United States Army Memorial (approx. half a mile away); The Norfolk 17 (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named The Norfolk 17
this page online
Also see . . .
1. George D. Hay. (Submitted on January 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Meet the American who founded the Grand Ole Opry: Remarkable visionary George D. Hay. (Submitted on January 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
2. George D. Hay Marker
Courtesy Country Music Foundation
3. George D. Hay
Courtesy County Music Association
4. George D. Hay
The Solemn Old Judge. A Memphis newspaperman-turned -radio announcer . George D. Hay carried his love for country music to radio - - first in Chicago and then Nashville, as the man who originated the Grand Ole Opry. He appeared as Master of Ceremonies for nearly 30 years on the Opry until his retirement and was instrumental in furthering the careers of hundreds of performers.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
