From Carol Swindell ~ “What can anyone tell me about J.M. Golden and Mrs. L.A. Cherry, the original owners of the Golden Cherry? Also what year was it built and who built it? I have had people say they thought my father (Harold Swindall) built it. I’d love to know some history.”
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4 Comments
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
That’s a very good question. Would be interesting to find out that information. Seems like this motel is a landmark in Opelika. Along that thought; wouldn’t it pretty neat to see the motel rennovated and upscaled for visitors to Opelika. It’s right on the edge of downtown Opelika and would be an asset for downtown to have an upscale motel/hotel. Prime location too.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:57 am
If you ever watched the movie Sweet Home Alabama, they refer to the Golden-Cherry Motel in there. Just and FYI.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
Hi, Carol. I am Pete Golden. Did your Dad live on 4th Street? I think that it was built late 40s or early 50s. Also, some of the movie Norma Ray was filmed there.
July 6th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
I have contacted Carol about the answer to her question. The Golden Cherry was indeed built by her dad. I have no other history except the well known fact that scenes from Norma Rae were filmed at that location. On the front of the motel is the recently closed/moved Domino’s Pizza. It used to be a sit-down diner originally and Martin Luther King ate breakfast there one morning — on his way to Selma, I believe.
