Spence Manor and Webb Pierce Guitar Swimming Pool

If you’ve been able to listen and walk at the same time—something that has failed me a number of times—then you’ve arrived at Spence Manor. This used to be a hotel and now has condos—but what makes this interesting is that there’s a guitar shaped swimming pool next to it. It’s hard to see, but if you look closely between the cracks you can catch a glimpse.

The Spence Manor was an upscale luxury hotel that catered specifically to the music industry professionals, singers, and recording artists who sought privacy and luxurious accommodations. One of the hotel’s printed rules forbade guests from “passing out drunk in the hallways.”

So what about the pool? Well years ago, Webb Pierce—a former country star who has gone to the angels—had an 81-foot long guitar shaped swimming pool at his house. Tourists could stop by and buy a small bottle of water from the pool. The folks who built Spence Manor thought a guitar shaped swimming pool was a good idea so they built one for their clients in 1977.

Pierce was a country music vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist of the 1950s. He was the flashiest of all the Honky Tonk heroes, according to longtime pool manager Garth Shaw, and wore elaborate rhinestone beaded jackets and costumes. Pierce’s most popular hit was “In the Jailhouse Now,” released in 1955.

Walk just a few steps more and you’ll be back at your starting point—Owen Bradley Park. Click on the “Complete Tour” button to listen to the conclusion.