House on the Rock

In many attempts, I've found it difficult to describe House on the Rock to anyone who hasn't been there in a way that truly conveys the magic of the place.

The "official" history and physical description doesn't seem to help, but I'll do that anyway:

In the 1950s Alex Jordan decided to build a house on a rock spire in southwestern Wisconsin. We aren't sure why. He was doing all the work himself, when he could get out there.

People found out about his work and came out for a look. Soon he was having so many visitors that he was having trouble getting work done.

In an effort to discourage visitors, he started charging admission. Fortunately for him, it didn't work. Soon he had a popular and lucrative tourist attraction.

While it has been finished, the house itself has never been occupied. It is a huge rambling ultimate bachelor pad, with low ceilings and multiple levels. It features stained glass, intricately carved wood, and an "infinity room" that extends unsupported from the main house.

The house is nice and is fun to see, but it's hardly worth the admission price. That's ok, since it is only about the first half hour of the four hours or so you will spend there.

What Jordan did with the money he made here is collect and building things. These are housed in several huge buildings on the grounds. Your designated path takes you on a winding journey through room after room after room, each full of more amazing collections or works of wonder than the one before.

A few of the many things you can find are a full sized sculpture of a whale battling a giant squid; the world's largest carousel, featuring not one horse; a collection of pipe organs; intricate ivory and cork carving; room after room of doll houses; hundreds of carousel horses; and pressed penny machines.

One of the most fascinating of the things you'll find here are pneumatic orchestras and ensembles. These feature real musical instruments, such as violins, pianos, drums, and harps, played by mechanical contraptions. Sometimes there are fake people with them. Sure, in many cases it sounds as if they are playing a tape to make the actual music, but that doesn't lessen the effect.

None of this tells you what it's really like to visit House on the Rock. The collections and spectacles are great, but what makes it such a magical, almost religious experience is that they are one after the other in a continuous four hour barrage of wonder. Just when you think you've seen the most amazing, unexpected thing you'll ever see, you'll walk through another doorway and see another.

Tourist Essentials

House on the Rock has a well-stocked gift shop, as well as a gift mall, featuring a fudge shop with free samples.
Postcards -- Great selection, average prices.
Snow Domes -- No
Tilt Pens -- Yes, but just a lame carousel one.
Spoons -- Yes.
Thimbles -- I think so, but I'm not sure.
Vinyl Coin Purses -- Yes.
Refrigerator Magnets -- Yes.
Metallic RV decals -- Yes.
Other things include video tapes and books.

Location

House on the Rock is on Wisconsin highway 23, a few miles south of Spring Green and a few more north of Dodgeville.

Other Sources

For further information, check out these
Zen's trip to America, Day 11
Sadie's first visit to House on the Rock
A list of quirky Wisconsin attractions

Copyright 1996 by Craig S. Thom