House on the Rock

The House on the Rock is a complex of architecturally unique rooms, streets, gardens and shops built mostly by Alex Jordan, Jr. The "house" itself was begun in the 1940s atop a column of rock that stands in a field in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and additions were made to the structure for several decades afterward. The complex now features "The Streets of Yesterday", a recreation of a turn-of-the-century American town; "The Heritage of the Sea", featuring nautical exhibits and a larger-than-life model of a fight between a blue whale and a giant squid; "The Music of Yesterday", a huge collection of automatic music machines; and the world's largest working carousel, among other attractions. During the winter, the attraction features a Christmas theme, with decorations and a large collection of Santa figures.

Related Topics:
Alex Jordan, Jr. - 1940s - Spring Green, Wisconsin - Blue whale - Giant squid - Christmas - Santa

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The earlier structures, namely the House on the Rock itself, the Gate House, and the Mill House, are reminiscent of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, though much less coherently designed than is characteristic of Wright, given its patchwork of external structures and interior spaces. The building actually began partly in spite of the master architect, who ran his Taliesin communal school near Spring Green: Alex Jordan, Sr., father of the younger Jordan, was a failed one-time student of Wright. The senior Jordan began the House on the Rock prior to the 1940s, but passed the project on to his son, who expanded on the original idea extensively and first marketed it as a roadside attraction. These early structures feature exposed stone, low ceilings, dark woodwork, and antiques on display.

Related Topics:
Frank Lloyd Wright - Taliesin

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Jordan sold the house in 1988 to a friend who continued building onto the site, adding to the collections of knick-knacks and exhibits featuring authentic pieces, reproductions, and especially-made examples of everything. The most recent addition is the "Spirit of Aviation", a collection of large model airplane designs in a themed room. Another exhibit, the "Transportation Building", is currently under construction (and has been for many years), but visitors can walk through and see the work in progress.

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In addition to the attraction, there is a themed House on the Rock Inn located a few miles south in the town of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, and a House on the Rock Resort, where visitors can play golf.

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The House on the Rock appears in the novel American Gods, by Neil Gaiman.

Related Topics:
American Gods - Neil Gaiman

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