Discovering the Real-Life Locations of Forrest Gump in Alabama
Introduction
Forrest Gump is a timeless classic that touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. One of the iconic settings in the movie is the humble home of Forrest Gump, located in Greenbow, Alabama. The place where Forrest spent most of his childhood and shared various memories with his best friend, Jenny. The location of the Forrest Gump house has always remained a mystery for fans, and many have wondered if they can visit it today. So, let’s explore the real-life location of Forrest Gump’s home and see if it’s a place that you can visit.
Inspiration for the Movie House
First, it’s important to understand that the Forrest Gump house portrayed in the movie was a set built on a movie studio in South Carolina. So, the actual home does not exist, and it is impossible to visit the same house depicted in the movie. However, the production team found inspiration for the house in several real-life locations.
The small town of Monroeville, Alabama, is believed to have been the inspiration for the fictional town of Greenbow in the movie. The town was also the childhood home of Harper Lee, the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which is set in the fictitious town of Maycomb. It’s said that the film’s director, Robert Zemeckis, was inspired by Lee’s hometown while scouting for locations.
Another location that served as inspiration for the Forrest Gump house was the city of Savannah, Georgia. A particular house located at 432 Abercorn Street was used as a reference for the external shots of the house. The location was also used for the scene where Forrest Gump narrates his story while waiting for the bus to take him to Jenny’s place.
Real-Life Locations You Can Visit
Although you cannot visit the actual house depicted in the film, there are several other locations in Alabama that were part of the movie and are worth visiting.
Bayou La Batre, Alabama
The town of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, was the location of the iconic scene where Forrest meets Bubba for the first time. The scene was shot at a shrimp boat dock near the Fowl River. The town is known for its seafood cuisine and offers plenty of attractions for visitors, including a seafood market and a museum that documents the history of the town’s fishing industry.
University of Alabama
Another location worth visiting is the University of Alabama, which was used as the set for the scene where Forrest meets Bear Bryant and becomes a player for the Crimson Tide football team. The Quad, a grassy area at the center of the university, was used as the filming location. Visitors can stroll around the campus and take some great photos while experiencing the college life portrayed in the movie.
Guided Tour of Forrest Gump Locations
Additionally, fans of the movie can take a guided tour to explore the different locations where the movie was filmed. The tour includes stops at the Gump family home, the bus stop where Forrest met Jenny, and the BB King’s Blues Club where Forrest plucked the guitar. The tour also includes a stop at the Alabama River, where the scene of Forrest running across the country ends.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the iconic Forrest Gump house portrayed in the movie does not exist in real life. However, fans of the movie can still visit several locations around Alabama to experience the spirit of the movie and explore different attractions related to the film. So, if you’re a fan of the movie, exploring the real-life locations of Forrest Gump is a must-do when traveling to Alabama.