For a few recent weeks in King County, Texas, Samuel Burk Burnett himself might’ve turned the corner and tipped his hat to say hello to mustachioed wranglers and calico-skirted ladies and felt completely at home.
The costumes and firearms and horse tack would’ve been familiar to him. The cowhands and the Comanches wouldn’t have surprised the cattleman a bit—though in 1883 Burnett hadn’t yet purchased the particular spread that would firmly establish his legacy.
The 6666 headquarters ranch in Guthrie played host to hundreds of cast, crew, extras and visitors while producer-director-writer Taylor Sheridan captured footage for future episodes of his “Yellowstone” prequel, “1883.” Country and western stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, who play the series’ Dutton patriarch and matriarch, were among the celebrities spotted around town. Western movie legends like Sam Elliott mingled with the locals.
During the weeks preceding the show’s television premiere in December, Amber Long of Guthrie’s Farmhouse Coffee brewed up java for some of Western cinema’s most famous figures. And last week, as the scores of RVs and wranglers prepared to wrap production for the time being, she and her family had a glimpse behind the scenes that they’ll never forget.
“I formed a good rapport with several of the crew members and enjoyed them thoroughly,” Long said. “A couple of them asked if I would like to go to the set to see everything in action. They were amazing. I learned so much about the various job duties and what exactly it takes to put something like this together. It’s pretty hard to fathom—so going out to the set sort of helped piece it all together.”
It was pretty good timing, after all, for opening a coffee shop in a town that doesn’t even have a restaurant. Long’s modest but charming shop behind the King County Museum (the former courthouse) made a natural gathering spot. She met numerous both cast and crew members while they dropped by—some even patronizing her establishment daily.
When a couple of them asked if she would like to observe the action on the set, she also took along a few friends and family.
Chelsey Lou Burson and Susie Hurt toured with her the first day, when temperatures out on the plains were quite chilly. “We hardly noticed because we had such a blast!” said Long.
On the second day of her visit—with perfect 75-degree weather even in January—Long took her daughters Remington and Lexington. King County sheriff Mike McWhirter and his wife, Nancy, also went along.
Of all the working actors Long met, she said that leading lady Hill’s stunt double, Lindi, was one who made a strong impression. “She was truly amazing, kind, gracious and beautiful,” said Long. “We had some great conversations.”
After the “1883” team wrapped up shooting last Saturday, daughter Lexington had her own unforgettable Hollywood moment. Tim McGraw, who had agreed in advance to an autograph for her, walked up, shook her hand and introduced himself, and happily signed the phone case she offered up.
“He was very nice to both girls and seemed interested in what they had to say, making them both feel very important,” Long recalled.
Though Long isn’t sure just now many King County locals assisted with various aspects of the production, she knows that her fellow Guthrie residents helped as much as possible, and with housing in particular.
As to what’s in store next for “1883,” its parent drama “Yellowstone,” and another spinoff in the works, “6666,” she’s not revealing any tidbits she may have picked up. “I’ve been sworn to secrecy,” she said.
We fans will count on her to let us know, though, whenever the ur-Duttons do drop in again at the Farmhouse.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
