One Of The Biggest Comedians In The World Was Born In This Georgia Town
About 20 minutes from Augusta, Georgia is the birthplace of One Of The Biggest Comedians In The World. Oliver Hardy was Born In This Georgia Town. Oliver Hardy, one-half of the world’s greatest comedy duos, Laurel and Hardy. Oliver Hardy was born in Harlem, Georgia in 1892. Laurel and Hardy became a team in 1926 in the age of silent films. They performed together until 1956.
Today, Harlem is a thriving small town with local downtown restaurants, a coffee shop, an ice cream parlor, and more. There is also a museum dedicated to Laurel and Hardy and it’s the Columbia Theatre, downtown. Admission is free.
Harlem, Georgia was founded in 1870 by an Augusta doctor and a railroad worker. They wanted a town that was liquor-free to raise their families. I love hearing old stories like this! By the way, you can buy booze in Harlem now at the town’s liquor store.
I’ve heard from many people about the great restaurants in downtown Harlem and I need to check that out soon. On my visit, it was a cold morning, the local ice cream shop was closed for a private party and people were enjoying hot coffee at the local coffee shop, the Harlem Java House.
Harlem has a population of about 2600 residents but gets many visitors from neighboring cities. Also, it’s close to I-20. And people who want to know more about Oliver and Hardy come from all over to visit the museum. I’ve been and it is so interesting to see the memorabilia and artifacts and watch any of their over 100 movies in the theatre. I’ve been told that many items in the museum were donated by fans all over the world.
One great day to visit Harlem is the first Saturday in October every year. That date is saved for the annual Oliver Hardy Festival.