Nestled in Crossville, Tennessee, the world’s most colossal treehouse stood as a testament to an extraordinary vision.
Horace Burgess, its creator, claimed divine inspiration for the construction of what became known as “The Minister’s Tree House”. Since 1993, a staggering 250,000 nails were meticulously placed across its ten stories, all supported by the steadfast foundation of six mighty oaks.
Spanning over 3000 square meters, the living space amalgamated across its multiple floors. Remarkably, this wooden marvel, which took 14 years to complete, supposedly incurred a mere $12,000 in costs
What kind of person embarks on such an ambitious endeavor, you might wonder? Perhaps a lunatic, one might think. However, according to Burgess, God directed him to undertake this extraordinary project, promising an unending supply of wood.
True to his conviction, the treehouse featured a central space designed for both prayer and basketball games, along with a penthouse crowning its tenth floor. A substantial half-ton church bell further accentuated its grandeur.
Over the years, the countless planks that composed the treehouse bore witness to the marks left by intrigued tourists who flocked to witness this architectural wonder.
Despite its popularity, the treehouse faced closure in 2012 due to violations of local fire codes. Concerns mounted as the fire department feared the catastrophic consequences of a blaze in a structure entirely crafted from wood.
Regrettably, those fears materialized as the colossal treehouse succumbed to flames in less than half an hour. Standing at an impressive 97 feet in Crossville, Tennessee, the Minister’s Treehouse became engulfed in a destructive inferno.
Constructed through the 1990s with a promise that building a treehouse meant never running out of material, the structure comprised 80 rooms, including classrooms, bedrooms, and a kitchen. Supported by an 80-foot white oak tree, it featured a wraparound porch connecting the five stories with a winding stairway.
The interior, a blend of the quirky and spiritual, boasted a hand-carved Bible, towering cross, and wooden pews. The name “JESUS” was even mowed into the grass beneath the building, emphasizing its spiritual significance.
Tourism ceased in 2012 due to safety breaches, leading to its eventual closure by state fire marshals.
The demise of the Minister’s Treehouse was swift, and Captain Derek Carter of the Cumberland County Fire Department, who had visited the treehouse as a tourist in the past, described it as “very cool, but also very dangerous”.
For those who once marveled at its grandeur, the Minister’s Treehouse remains a cherished memory, even as it has now returned to the earth from which it was built.
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He Was the Rifleman, Now Chuck Connors’ Secrets Come to Light
Chuck Connors, a name linked with vintage Western television, rose to fame as a result of his memorable performance as “The Rifleman’s” Lucas McCain. The transformation of Connors from athlete to actor is amazing and motivating. His initial success came in the sports industry. He was born in 1921. His brief but unforgettable MLB career began in 1940 when the Brooklyn Dodgers recognized his baseball potential.
But it didn’t take him long to feel the need to act. Connors entered the movie business in the early 1950s, and his breakout performance came in the 1952 picture “Pat and Mike.” However, his role as McCain in “The Rifleman,” which debuted in 1958, is what really solidified his reputation on television. In the role of McCain, Connors embodied the physicality and emotional depth of a dedicated rancher from New Mexico. He gave the role his all, whether it was performing stunts or learning how to ride a horse. The authentic relationship he had with his on-screen son, Johnny Crawford, was one of the show’s highlights.
Beneath his heroic façade on television, Connors had a difficult personal life. His on-screen portrayal as the perfect parent figure stood in stark contrast to his real-life troubles. The guy behind the character became more complex as a result of his multiple marriages and extramarital encounters. Connors’ clean TV appearance was further undermined by the obvious age difference in his personal connections.
Connors was notable in Hollywood for his political views as well. He openly backed politicians like Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, in contrast to many of his liberal Hollywood contemporaries. Because of this, he stood out both on and off screen.
It was difficult for Connors to get rid of Lucas McCain’s shadow when “The Rifleman” concluded. He tried his hand at a number of TV and movie roles, but none of them was as memorable as McCain. He brought the cherished character back for a short while in a 1991 TV film around the tail end of his career. Regretfully, he lost his fight with lung cancer and died at the age of 71 in 1992.
Chuck Connors had a great career and personal life, but he also left a lasting legacy in entertainment. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his contributions to vintage westerns and the Golden Age of Television. Despite his share of flaws, Connors’ genuine decency and enduring influence on screen guarantee his position in television history.
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