I enjoyed a stop at the Trail’s End restaurant in Fort Wilderness for a hearty all-you-can-eat buffet. Before I left, I explored Crockett’s Tavern which is inside Trail’s End and is a small bar where you can enjoy some spirited drinks. Next to the bar is a wall of paraphernalia from the life of Davy Crockett. The scene below has a map of Tennessee, the bear Davy killed when he was three, a coonskin cap, a portrait of Davy as a Congressman and other bits from the legend’s life. Most coming from the lyrics of The Ballad of Davy Crockett used for the television shows Walt Disney produced for ABC back in the 1950’s.

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee, greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods so’s he knew ev’ry tree, kilt him a b’ar when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!

A wall of paraphernalia from the life of Davy Crockett.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/4, ISO 200, EV +1.0, 18mm focal length, bounced flash at -1 power

The person who played Davy Crockett in those television shows was Fess Parker who is more known today for the wines he brings each year to Walt Disney World’s Food and Wine Festival in Epcot from his California winery. Back in the 1950’s, Fess was famous for the coonskin cap he wore in the very first miniseries ever created for television and, confirmed to Walt Disney, the power of the new medium. Fess Parker is honored with a portrait of him as Davy Crockett right next to the wall depicting the life he so entertained America with.

Portrait of Fess Parker as Davy Crockett hangs near Crockett’s Tavern.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/4, ISO 200, EV +1.0, 18mm focal length, bounced flash at -1 power

As all good legends do, Davy Crockett faded into the western sunset…

His land is biggest an’ his land is best, from grassy plains to the mountain crest
He’s ahead of us all meetin’ the test, followin’ his legend into the West
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!