Demopolis or Bust

The oil spill clean up is finished at Whitten Lock. It took almost 3 weeks to complete the job. So now we can head to our final destination, Demopolis, Alabama.Yesterday (Saturday), we drove 6 1/2 hours back to Counce, Tennessee to Grand Harbor marina. On the way, we stopped at Hagy's Catfish Hotel, a popular restaurant in Shiloh, Tennessee.

The history of the restaurant:

In 1825, Henry Hagy and his wife Polly docked their flat boat, laid claim to several acres of bottom land, and began to build a farm and family. Later their son John built a rough log shack next to the river to store items that were to be shipped by steamboats. The shack was occupied by Union soldiers during the Battle of Shiloh.

 

The shack earned the name “Catfish Hotel” during the early thirties when Norvin Hagy entertained friends at cookouts. He became well known for the delicious catfish, hushpuppies, and hospitality he served up. Guests who had arrived by river were often forced to spend the night after becoming engrossed in yarns spun and darkness made it unsafe to travel the river, thus the nickname Catfish Hotel.

 

In 1938 Norvin held a political campaign gathering at the site for his old friend Gordon Browning, who was seeking his second term as governor. Upon tasting the catfish and hushpuppies, Gordon recommended Norvin open a restaurant. With the help of his wife, Dorothy, and sons Jack and Bob, the restaurant became a success. Several additions were made to the original shack to accommodate the growing business.

 

Below is the seafood platter. When it comes to fish, it is pretty much fried in most restaurants.

 

 

Took dessert home. Lemon rub pie and caramel pie.

 



 

The restaurant sits right on the Tennessee River. We anchored behind the island below on our way to Grand Harbor. There are steps that go down to the shore if you want to dinghy in. No dock.

 

 

 

When we arrived at Grand Harbor, the boat was covered with spider poop (no surprise in a covered slip) so the Alchemist got a good washing.

 

A couple sailboats passing by the dock on the Tennessee River. Off tomorrow to Midway marina in Fulton, Mississippi.