Last week on July 30th 2014 marked a special milestone for Gone With the Wind history. It marked the 75th anniversary of the day when Margaret Mitchell sold the movie rights to Gone With the Wind. Gone With the Wind holds a special place in Covington, Georgia’s heart since their history is linked.
Margaret Mitchell was paid $50,000 to sell the motion picture rights to Gone With the Wind. She sold the rights to David O. Selznick. At the time, this was the most that had been paid for screen rights to an author’s first work. In 1936 more than 200,000 copies of Gone With the Wind had been sold.
Mitchell still had some say in the movie though. That’s where the Covington, Georgia link comes in.
Mitchell visited Covington, Georgia and saw The Twelve Oaks Inn. When she saw Twelve Oaks she decided that’s what Ashley’s house would look like in the movie. She sent a photo to Selznick telling him that’s how she envisioned Ashley’s house.
If we fast-forward to now, guests can now stay in a Gone With the Wind themed room at The Twelve Oaks Inn. The Frankly Scarlet Suite draws on old southern beauty. The suite is beautifully decorated and has stupendous views.
If you are a fan of Gone With the Wind, make sure to stop by The Twelve Oaks Inn. There are not many places that can claim they have a hand in Gone With the Wind history but our Hollywood of the South is one of them.
