Shadowhawk (Smithfield, NC)

William Drake was an actor who has appeared in episodes of Gunsmoke and Bonanza and numerous movies, including his favorite role as the Marshall in How The West Was Lost.

"It was a comedy and we just had fun with it," Drake recalled about the film.

In 1997, working on Saturdays and Sundays, William Drake decided to bring a little bit of Hollywood to North Carolina and began building Shadowhawk, a Western town in his backyard in Smithfield, NC.

Bit by bit, Drake built his vision, which now includes a saloon, a kitchen, a Sheriff's office, a jail, a hotel, a bank, a barber shop, a post office, a stable, a hotel, and a church.

There is a General Store where people can buy t-shirts, books, and movies.

Shadowhawk even boasts a museum to William Drake, which displays props and costumes from his films and shows as well as photos of the actor throughout the years.

Over the years, Shadowhawk has hosted many parties and barbecues as well as a yearly VFW get-together which brings 150-200 people to the town.

Shadowhawk's church has been the backdrop for sixteen weddings.

The town has been the setting for several movies including Justice - The Colt .45 Way and the zombie western Fistful Of Brains.

When we visited Shadowhawk in June of 2016, we were surprised to find Drake there. We had read that he was no longer living there and that another couple was taking over the property.

Drake assured us that was not the case, that they were merely looking after the place during a short time for Drake, and that he is now "back for good."