Is Schitt’s Creek a real place?

From CBC Television's 'Schitt's Creek'

Once upon a time, a Hollywood actress made good bank and decided to buy an entire town in America. She eventually sold it for a staggering loss years later. 

If that sounds made-up, suspend your disbelief a little longer. That was actually actress Kim Basinger who, in a "Barbara Stanwyck in the Big Valley" moment, splurged $20 million on acquiring Braselton, Georgia, with the intent of turning it into her own version of Dollywood. 

The financial mishap would inspire fellow actors Eugene Levy and his son Dan to create the hit series "Schitt's Creek" decades later. The sitcom centers on the downfall of the affluent, fictional Rose family, forced to retreat to the titular rundown town, their only remaining asset. 

"Schitt's Creek's" real-life inspiration seems to have done well for itself since Basinger and her partners unloaded it for a measly $4.3 million in 1995. Now home to over 17,000 people, Braselton posted the biggest population growth of any Georgian town in 2024.

The historic John O. Braselton House in Braselton, GA. Photo via Spyder Monkey

While Georgia is a film industry hub, the Levys, along with Catherine O'Hara and Annie Murphy, chose to shoot the series in their native Canada, particularly in Ontario. Rosebud Motel (not to be confused with the real-life motel of the same name in Tootgarook, Australia) is actually the Hockley Motel at Hockley Road in Mono, Ontario. 

Although the series has ended and the Hockley Motel itself has closed, fans were delighted in August 2025 to see the distinctive Rosebud Motel signage return to the façade of the building. 

If you want to see where they filmed Rose Apothecary, drive just one hour east to Goodwood Mercantile, also known as Romni Goodwood, at 299 Durham Regional Hwy 47 in the hamlet of Goodwood (part of the township of Uxbridge).

Romni Goodwood was Rose's apothecary IRL. Via JasonParis

Also in the neighborhood is the residence portraying Cafe Tropical, located at the corner of Front Street and Highway 47. The building meant to be Bob's Garage should be across the road. 

You'll find the all-important town hall beside the railway farther in town. No trespassing though: The 1875 brick building was Goodwood's actual town hall in yesteryears, but it's now a private home. (A front yard sign does say it is the "Home of the Paule's.")

Everything that goes down must come back up, and much like the fictional Roses, Basinger's finances eventually recovered. She went on to be nominated for an Oscar a few years after her disastrous investment. 

Basinger, learning she helped inspire “Schitt’s Creek,” quipped that she ought to be collecting royalty checks. Something Moira would certainly approve.