Skynyrd Nation take notice: Rock history will be preserved at Hell House

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – I spent more than two days listening to SiriusXM’s Classic Vinyl Top 400 songs voted internationally by fans last weekend, and I was happy with the outcome – especially since Lynyrd Skynyrd was the only band with two songs in the Top 10.

“Sweet Home Alabama” finished in ninth, and “Free Bird” was voted fourth. Those choices deserve a standing ovation.

Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” the Eagles’ “Hotel California” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” were voted as the top three, and I can’t say I disagree. But it shows Skynyrd has a place among the most popular bands of all time.

Other Skynyrd songs to make the list included “Simple Man” in 35th, ‘Gimme Three Steps” in 74th, “Tuesday’s Gone” in 182nd, “That Smell” in 205th, “Call Me the Breeze” in 253rd and “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” in 302nd.

That’s why it troubles me to say the historical marker is gone – for now – from the site known as Hell House, the shanty where most of Skynyrd’s songs were crafted. An Edgewater Landing’s Home Owners’ Association Board member ordered it to be removed because he believed non-residents didn’t have the right to be inside the gated community.

But they have the right to see the sign from Peters Creek. Edgewater Landing doesn’t own the creek. That’s why we installed the marker at the dock. That has public access, and the marker couldn’t be seen from the street.

It’s sickening when someone has little regard for history or the law. Their sense of importance consumes them so much that they forget the significance of what happened on that lot more than 50 years ago.

The fledging band Lynyrd Skynyrd moved their practices to the shack in the woods where they could play from sunrise to sunset without bothering anyone. The shack, known as Hell House because it didn’t have air conditioning, is where songs like “Gimme Three Steps,” “Tuesday’s Gone,” “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” were written, practiced and perfected.

Apparently, one man didn’t care.

What bothers me most is he didn’t have a problem with the construction and pool companies who used the historic lot as a garbage can. There are piles of concrete and rocks on the lot. And until two weeks ago, there was a port-a-john there. Pallets of sod have been stored there. Empty boxes of wiring have been discarded there. Residents also throw their lawn debris, especially branches, over the fence and onto the lot.

No beer cans, fast food trash or liquor bottles have been left on the lot. Nobody has spray-painted graffiti or stolen property. The man said unwanted Skynyrd fans were driving down the cost of the properties in the development. That’s not true. I checked with the property appraiser’s office.

I know about the lot because I mow it each week as a favor to the family of the man who bought it two years ago. Adam Hartle paid $7,000 for the marker, but he died unexpectedly of a heart attack weeks before it was delivered. He was 41.

Music historian Bob Kealing and I made sure Adam’s wish to identify the history of the lot was honored when we had the marker installed near what’s known as Ronnie’s dock.

The man called the association’s property management company and had the sign removed. He didn’t go to a judge and get an order. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office didn’t deliver an order to have it removed.

Home Owners’ Associations aren’t above the law. Nobody can enter private property and take something that doesn’t belong to them. The sheriff’s office can’t do it, so what makes anyone believe an HOA can do it? If you think an HOA has that right, I’m glad you don’t live near me.

We decided not to make an issue of one man’s ill-advised decision because the majority of other owners there don’t deserve to be criticized. That’s why we ask that you don’t approach the lot from the street and don’t do anything to disrespect the neighborhood. The sign will return.

Somebody has to act reasonably in this matter. And it will be the Lynyrd Skynyrd fans.