# What state were the Beverly Hillbillies originally from? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 15, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953 "2004-08-15T16:09:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/1 "2004-08-15T16:09:39Z")
Was it ever explicitly stated? My top three guesses would be Arkansas, Tennessee, or Kentucky. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/2 "2004-08-15T16:19:44Z")
I always thought it was Arkansas. I did a quick search to verify and all I find are references to them being from the Ozarks. While the Ozarks does fit with Arkansas, it would also include the southern part of Missouri. However, Tennessee and Kentucky would be ruled out. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/3 "2004-08-15T16:22:51Z")
I don’t believe it was ever stated. Whilst Googling, I found [this site](http://www.jerryosborne.com/3-23-98.htm) and this quote: > [@](#): > > According to Paul Henning: “I feel as strongly now as I did in the beginning of the show, that it would be a mistake to limit the viewers’ imaginations in any way. It’s my belief that millions of viewers believe that the Clampetts come directly from their own neck of the woods. That in some measure adds to the enjoyment of the show.” ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/4 "2004-08-15T17:28:35Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Was it ever explicitly stated? My top three guesses would be Arkansas, Tennessee, or Kentucky. I think they were from the state of denial? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/5 "2004-08-15T17:32:06Z")
They’re from Springfield, of course! ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/6 "2004-08-15T19:31:48Z")
In one episode, Granny said she was born in Tennessee. Doesn’t answer where Uncle Jed lived, though. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/7 "2004-08-15T19:51:36Z")
Granny was from Tennessee. The rest were from Bugtussle, Missouri. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/8 "2004-08-15T19:56:30Z")
The oil was said to have been the “Texas T”, possibly giving some insight into the location of said oil. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/9 "2004-08-15T20:00:33Z")
Granny was from Bugtussle, just find what state that is in. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/10 "2004-08-15T20:46:15Z")
Let’s see now…there’s a little panhandle in southeast Mo. that sits in between Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas. It’s the place that Josey Wales came through and met Granny at the ferry. Remember he sent ‘em on a Missoura’ boat ride. Notice all the little towns in the area lots of 'em end w/ …ville like Hornyville, Leachville, Portageville, Piggville, Hooterville, Bugtussle, and Evening Shade is right down the road. Yep folks if’n ya wanna get away from the rat race, that’s the place. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/11 "2004-08-15T21:28:26Z")
jnglmassiv writes: \> “Texas T” It’s Texas tea. ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/12 "2004-08-15T22:04:01Z")
Oil put the “T” in Texas. Before the oil rush, what was Texas good for? Granted you could still ask that today 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/13 "2004-08-15T22:22:20Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > The oil was said to have been the “Texas T”, possibly giving some insight into the location of said oil. No, only giving insight into the predominance of oil in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/14 "2004-08-15T22:22:30Z")
> [@Booker57](#): > > Oil put the “T” in Texas. Before the oil rush, what was Texas good for? That was my take also. Sort of a"Without oil, could there be a Texas?" type-a-thing. However, reading various song lyric websites, I see that the ‘tea’ version does appear correct. I stand corrected…Thanks again, SDMB!! ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/15 "2004-08-15T22:49:49Z")
So without oil Texas is basically a useless patch of desert filled w/ rednecks? Forget about the cattle industry and agriculture. Its coastal ports and railroad connections. No history or culture despite European presence since BEFORE Jamestown. No contributions to the Nation, pretty much a state full of users and losers. Except for that oil thing, right. Does that about sum it up? Nice ☹ Jimmy Rogers had a song once, T for Texas…just a little wordplay, oil is “Texas Tea” It was just an afterthought. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/16 "2004-08-15T23:20:50Z")
There is a [Bug Tussle](http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=address&searchtype=address&address=&city=bug%20tussle&state=ok&zipcode=&search=++Search++) Oklahoma. Although that fits nicely with the oil theme, I’ve never thought of the Clampett’s as from Oklahoma. Mr. Brewster was from Tulsa. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/17 "2004-08-16T01:22:18Z")
BTW: thought I’d mention what made me think to ask: 🙂 I was watching the DVD of _Attack of the Clones_ with my wife this weekend. At the scene where Jar-Jar, standing in for the absent Senator Amidala, introduces the measure to grant Supreme Chancellor Palpatine emergency powers of decree, I commented that “This is like having Jethro Bodine as the senator (Rep.) from \_\_\_\_” ; and then I realized I didn’t know what state to give this “honor” to. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/18 "2004-08-16T04:49:03Z")
I remember someone was telling Granny about evolution and how people descended from fishs. Granny responded by saying “the only sea I’m from is Tennessee.” ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/19 "2004-08-16T06:46:35Z")
> [@t-keela](#): > > Let’s see now…there’s a little panhandle in southeast Mo. that sits in between Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas. Just FYI, that part of Missouri is called the “bootheel”. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953/20 "2004-08-16T13:55:32Z")
I know the movie isn’t canon, but the Clampetts do comment about "Cousin Bill’ (Clinton), so make of that what you will. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-were-the-beverly-hillbillies-originally-from/259953.md?page=2)