In short, Mayes traveled all across America planting concrete signs with religious messages. So far I have photographed 10 of these signs that are still standing in the wild (Some I came across myself, others I was tipped off on).
Now, recently I given a tip about something I have never even known existed: a Harrison Mayes BARN. Mike Curtis tipped me off that this barn was located on the Dixie Highway in Del Rio, TN. I was so psyched I had to head out there to see it myself. And so I did......
I headed out on NC-209, which apparently has recently been dubbed "The Rattler".
Huh? Okay, I'll go with it. I have nothing against giving cool names to roads. It appears this is inspired greatly by the notorious "Tail of the Dragon", a famously curvy road that is beloved by motorcyclists. The swag for the "Tail of the Dragon" is incredibly popular and this is likely an attempt to capitalize on this.
Never the less, I set out on this newly christened curvy road. How curvy? Check it out.
I was driving my Toyota Corrolla, instead of a motorcycle, so the curves may not have had their full effect. I did however enjoy the view. This road is full of amazing old barns.......
As well as some awesome old houses.....
And old broken down vehicles.....
Check out this deer head mounted on a porch....
Or all these old rotten pelts nailed to a barn.....
Look at this Donkey hanging out at a church....
Check out this out built on top of a big old rock....
Or this old school elementary school sign.....
I passed through the town of Luck, NC......which as far as I can tell consists entirely of one abandoned building.....
I passed the state line into Tennessee, where this delightful bar in a single wide trailer sits..........
Finally making my way into Tennessee I finally located the Harrison Mayes Barn, and it was amazing.....
I lettering and verbiage unmistakably belong to Hayes. And what made this even sweeter is that I stumbled upon ANOTHER Mayes Barn a few miles down the road.
To make things even sweeter, 3 days later I photographed another Harrison Mayes cross in Ruth, NC. This was different then the traditional concrete crosses as was made out of corrugated steal.
I know there are more of these signs (and maybe even barns) out there, I just need to find them.
The Carpetbagger
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