The Ryman Auditorium

When I think of a southern icon, I can't help but think of the country music at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. The auditorium began as a large church in downtown Nashville. In 1943, it became the home of the Grand Ole Opry, a live show that was broadcast over the radio every week. The Grand Ole Opry became famous as the best country music radio show and the home of country music. In the 1970s, the show was moved to a new home, but it still plays at the Ryman for a few months each year.

I have seen multiple shows at the Ryman. The auditorium is a perfect size;
it is just small enough so that you feel close to the stage regardless of where you are sitting. The last show that I saw there was a Christmas show by Alan Jackson. Looking back, I find it ironic that the show was of a country singer singing gospel songs in an old church famous for its country music. I think this shows how closely related country and gospel music really are.

The Romantic South

"Gone With the Wind" is one of the most famous southern movies of its time and still remains that way today. When I think about "Gone With the Wind" I see the romantic south, the southern gentlemen suitors looking for love in the southern bell. I think most girls from the south wish that they were Scarlett, courted by every man imaginable, having whatever her heart desires. The idea of men chasing after you is very appealing to girls, every girl wants to be wanted and I think that is one of the reasons women love this movie. It gives hope that the romanticism of the south still exists and that it continues to exist today.

This picture tells me so much more than what the name of the movie is. It tells me that there is love and passion in the south, that the beauty and serenity of the country engulfs you and that love is one of the greatest things you can find.

I believe that whenever people look at the image, they see the South. This movie has been a southern icon ever since it was released. The love and passion of the movie gives the audience the idea that that is what the south is truly like. I love this icon because of the idea of the southern gentleman and the southern bell. I will admit that I do wish I were a southern bell, being laid on hand and foot, falling in love, and everything that comes with it.

Whenever people think of southern movies, "Gone With the Wind" is one of the first to pop up. It is a classic that will always be there to remind us of what people perceive and idealize the south the be like. Personally, I would love to be apart of the south that has the gentleman, the hopeless romantic who pursues the woman he can't live without. The romantic south is one that I believe most girls want to be apart of. Maybe it is true for some parts of the south and not for other, I am not really sure, but nonetheless, the icon still holds a special place in my heart.

Topic

Be it internationally recognized or just something local, what is your favorite icon of the South and why?

Maybe it's because I am from Texas so it has a little bit to do with my home state pride, but either way, I love the Alamo. When you visit it, it may not look like all it's built up to be, but to me, it still represents something great. It was the turning point for Texas during its fight for independence. The Alamo represents courage and faith. With only two survivors, the Alamo flipped the switch in the Texas and gave them reason to fight with all they had against the Mexicans. They were fighting for the people who bravely faced the Mexicans during the battle of the Alamo. Even though the Texas lost the battle of the Alamo, it was the battle that gave the Texans incentive to win the war.

For some reason this historical landmark sticks out to me. It shows me how much a state or country cares about its residents and how each soldier was willing to give up their life for the well being and overall goal of the entire country. Personally, I think that I am partial to Texas. It's said that if you live in Texas, you love Texas and everything that comes along with it. I am extremely proud to claim that I am from Texas and I believe that every single person who fought in the battle of the Alamo would claim the same thing.

Today, the Alamo is a popular tourist stop in San Antonio. Many go to see the infamous fort and see where the bloodbath took place. It has become quite the Southern landmark for Texas. To Texans, this represents a pride in our state, something that we should all look at and see courage, and bravery, and a symbol of why our state is the one we know it as today. I am proud to say that Texans fought at the Alamo and that Texas was able to declare its independence from Mexico because of the courage and character that each of the soldiers proved when fighting and dying in the battle of the Alamo

Fun at Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain located in Gwinnett County in Georgia is one of my favorite historical landmarks in the South. The mountain is more than five miles in circumference and offers a great view of the Atlanta skyline, Kennesaw Mountain, and sometimes the Appalachian Mountains. Tourists can reach the top of the mountain by the walk-up trail or by skyride. The carving on the mountain depicts three Confederate leaders of the Civil War, President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson (and their horses, "Blackjack", "Traveller", and "Old Sorrel".

Stone Mountain park is Georgia's most popular attraction with activities including tennis, river boats, pedal boats, hiking, boating, fishing, golfing, and bicycling. One of the most popular attractions is the laser show on the lawn with special effects and music. Families arrive early in the day to get good seats, picnic, and play on the lawn. Stone Mountain also offers museums and The Crossroads, which is a simulation of a town in the 1870's with everything from candy making to glass blowing. Stone Mountain's newest attraction and one of my personal favorites is Snow Mountain. Stone Mountain Park's Laser Lawn is transformed into a seasonal family snow park, featuring a 400-foot tubing hill and a 30,000 square foot play area in snow at least two feet deep. Because snow in Georgia is very rare and two feet of snow is almost impossible, snow mountain is fun for all ages and it is local and convenient. Stone Mountain is a popular tourist attraction and has entertainment for the whole family.

The Biltmore Estate

My favorite landmark in the South has to be the Biltmore estate. The Biltmore is a mansion built by George Vanderbilt from his wealth, which was amassed from several businesses as well as large inheritances. The house was finished in 1895, and despite his large sum of money, it is thought to have used up a majority of his wealth.

When I visited the Biltmore, I found it fascinating because of it seemed old yet at the same time it was so revolutionary at the time. It is an odd mix of an old house an a luxurious home. For example, it has a swimming pool, a two story library, and even a bowling alley. It was truly revolutionary with features such a an intercom system, an elevator, and centrally controlled clocks. It is massive as well; the tour that I took a few years ago took well over two hours. It is hard to imagining living in anything close to the size of that house.

The gardens around the mansion are not to be ignored, either. The grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same man who designed Central Park. All of the greenery is still very well tended to today because of the large amount of tourism that the house sees.

The estate is still very alive, with tours happening everyday and hotel rooms (on the grounds but in a separate building) that cost $600 or more per night.

topic

What is your favorite historical landmark in the South? Why?