Doc and Kitty in Front of The Town House Motor Lodge …
This is “Doc” and “Kitty” from the tv show Gunsmoke. They were in town back in the middle 1950’s for the Fiesta. I have posted some other photos of them in earlier posts, but I never could find this image until recently. It was in terrible shape and I had already cleaned it up once before, but I never could find it. So when I ran across this image, I went ahead and cleaned it up … again. This is the only photograph that I can find of the exterior front of the Town House Motor Lodge. The two men in the photo are Lynn Toney on the far right and the man helping Amanda Blake is the owner of the Town House and his last name was Head, but I do not know his first name. The front of the Town House was on Cervantes … you should could not do something like this now on Cervates without risking getting hit or run-over. If anyone had any contact with “Doc” or “Kitty” when they were in town, please share your story with us … I would be interested in hearing them. I have a photo of the two of them holding me up that I will post for a laugh … I cannot remember off the top of my head if I already have, so I will check. Thanks for looking and please check back … Frank
Update (1/7/14) : Some people say that the man helping Amanda Blake out of the wagon is John R Jones, who at one time was a local politician … I want to say Property Appraiser, but I could be wrong there. I had said that the man was Mr. Head, who owned the Town House Motel with his wife. Personally, I do not care who it is, that is not the reason why I posted the photo. Please remember, this is a blog for photography, not for identifying correctly the individuals shown in the images. If we do, fine, if we do not, fine. Thanks for looking … Frank
Frank Hardy Made My Photographs Two 
Frank, It was so great to see you at Catholic High School! It has been A WHILE!! Your father’s and your photos mean so much to Pensacola and it’s citizens. Alvin Head was my grandfather. Thank you for bringing me joy with your talent. (The senior portraits of the seniors at CHS are gorgeous!! Love how you captured their eye colors!) Ashley
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Ashley Rasmussen
October 21, 2017 at 9:46 am
My dad, J C Gray, brought Doc (Milburn Stone) and Kitty (Amanda Blake) to our home on Alcaniz, at next to the Texaco station on the corner of Alcaniz and Certantes during the telethon for dinner and to rest out of the sight of all the well wishers. I was so delighted I could hardly speak. Years later when Milburn Stone had a heart attack, I wrote to him and received a lovely letter from his wife that he remembered the visit and thanked me for remembering him. Needless to say it was a highlight in my young life. My dad had been involved in the entertainment field from a young age, having had an orchestra that performed on the Pantage theatre circuit in Birmingham, Al. He introduced me to many who were not popular then, but became so at a later time. Still, this was a special memory that I treasure to this day.
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Juanita Gray Glass
May 21, 2015 at 12:00 pm
That is a nice story, Juanita. Your type of story is what I had hoped readers of this blog would share … their own personal experience with these people when these events occurred. I have gotten a good number of them through the years, but not as many ” personal ” experiences such as yours. Thanks again for writing and please check back … Frank
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Frank Hardy
June 1, 2015 at 3:14 pm
My correction to the above, the photo is John R. Jones, Jr. – the former TAX APPRAISER for Escambia County. Lisa’s grandfather was a TAX COLLECTOR before 1940 in Pensacola.
thank you.
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Betty Mitchell Busch
January 7, 2014 at 9:26 am
Willis Alvin Head and wife Mildred P. Head. He was Pres of Head Construction in 1955 located at 16 W. Cervantes, address of Town House Motor Hotel. In 1960 lived at 2015 LaRua. Born 1916 Texas – Died 1973 Pensacola. Just some quick research on him on Ancestry.
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Betty Mitchell Busch
January 3, 2014 at 8:42 pm
Thanks for that … Mrs Head used to call my father up when ever ” celebrities ” were booked at the Town House and he would go over to take photos of them. That is how my father came to photograph many of the actors, athletes and musicians that I have posted on this site. They had some sons that were close to me in age, but I did not know them very well, if at all really. There was a stairwell in the Town House that went from the restaurant upstairs to the bar downstairs that had framed 8×10’s … many of my father’s photos were hung here. Back in 1950’s and 60’s, many of the celebrities did not have publicity photos and they used the photos that my father had taken. I wish I could add more to this post, but I am out of info. Thanks again for commenting and please check back … Frank
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Frank Hardy
January 4, 2014 at 9:48 am
Your pic above was posted on the FB site “If you grew up in Pensacola”, it created many a comment and interest. But, one thing that needs correction…………….Lisa Jones, daughter of past Tax Collector John R. Jones, says that the man helping Ms. Kitty out of the buggy is her father. Her comment ”
And that is my Daddy (the late John R. Jones Jr.) helping her out of the buggy!!! (FYI: Daddy did not own that hotel…) Thanks for sharing this I have never seen it before and it made my morning.”
So would you please correct your description which refers to it being Mr. Head. Because of interest in the still standing Motor Hotel, would you consider adding the information I provided above about Mr. Head as owner.
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Betty Mitchell Busch
January 7, 2014 at 9:14 am
I can do whatever, it does not bother me. However, as far as the authenticity as the individuals in the photos, that is the least of my concern. Thanks – Frank
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Frank Hardy
January 7, 2014 at 5:26 pm