Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hard Day's Night Bed and Breakfast
Paul and Linda with a fan
A fan photo of George with Carl Perkins at the Hard Rock Cafe in London
One of my favorites!
This is just a shot of "mail room" in the house. It is where George's sister used to sit and answer fan letters. It just basically shows that there is a lot of interesting things hanging on the walls.
Me outside of the house. Notice that the sign is quick to point out "Where George Harrison Stayed."
In Southern Illinois there is a little yellow house known as the "Hard Day's Night Bed and Breakfast." It is the former home of Lousie Cardwell, who is George Harrison's sister. George came and stayed with her for 3 weeks during the late summer of 1963. Since then fans have saved the home from being torn down and have turned it into a mini Beatles museum as well as a Bed and Breakfast (obviously). It is a cute little place, but I wouldn't go rushing down there to see it as a main trip or anything. However, if you happen to be in Southern Illinois anyhow, it is worth checking out. I live in 2 hours North of the town of Benton, Illinois and the home. In 2007 and 2008 they had a Beatles Day at the house, and I attended. (That is when I met Pete Best). I took some photos of some photos on the wall of Beatles with fans. So here are some photos of photos that I took inside of the Hard Day's Night Bed and Breakfast in Benton, Illinois.
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Cool to see. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIs this place still open?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know it still is open.
ReplyDeleteoh my god im a13 year old huge beatles fan and i live near danville and i really wanna go i started freaking out when i figured George Harrison THE George Harrison stayed here i never knew about the bed and breakfast until like 2 mins ago and i am freaking out!! i hope i can come some day!!
ReplyDeleteHi! I live in Alton, Illinois. It is sort of cool to think that George hung out in Illinois (and not anywhere near Chicago...but just plain ole Illinois!). Sadly, I have heard recently that the Bed and Breakfast might be closed down right now. I will have to look into it.
ReplyDeleteI was there. The magic was all around. Almost could feel George.
ReplyDeleteI came back and something was lost.
Almost felt George cry. Some hope was left tho.
One day the Ivy was gone. Then I felt that the Soul of this house would die.
All the contents were sold on E Bay.
It is the sign of times. Money first.
How much was it sold?
If I were very rich now I would buy the House.
Day after day, I would restore it as it was.
The Ivy would be back.
Day after day, I would find a way
to make George's stellar particles descend
upon Benton again,
He believed in karma. His Soul is in another body.
What he did is forever recorded in the Stars,
E Bay is a shame to me.
The Beatles belong to humankind
and humankind is not auctionable.
July 4th weekend 2003 I stayed here. It was a high point in my life. I saw an article in the Champaign, News Gazette about this Bed and Breakfast. I did some research and just had to check it out. My wife at that time was taking a trip with some friends in Georgia. I thought that I would make the trip to Benton since I had nothing else to do over that long weekend. It was far more than I had expected. It was a step back in time and brought back memories of when The Beatles burst on the scene in 1964. I bought a video of some of the people that hung out with George while he visited his sister. I also got a numbered document with a fragment of tile that was in the house at the time George Harrison stayed there. I had the house all to myself. I felt George's presence throughout my stay. I left for a couple of hours to get something to eat and to buy a frame for my document. I later learned that Louise was with some friends of hers and she was at the house while I was out. It would have been nice to have visited with her during my stay. I was thinking about reliving that experience this weekend but learned that the house is up for sale. Oh well! I hope that whoever buys this home will keep it a tribute to The Beatles and George Harrison.
ReplyDelete