If you didn’t believe Texas is weird before, you will after you see these homes that just don’t quite fit in with the neighbors’ humble abodes. I really appreciate people expressing their creativity and uniqueness in any way possible, and these dwellings are a perfect example of that. Here are 10 of the most unique houses you will find in the state of Texas:
1) Beer Can House (Houston)
Over 50,000 beer cans adorn this unusual home in the suburbs of Houston. The owner, John Milkovisch, began his daunting project back in 1968, and considered it more of a pastime than a masterpiece. Don't worry, though, he didn't consume all those beers himself. He said his wife and neighbors generously offered a helping hand.
2) Casa Neverlandia (Austin)
This ecofriendly home in a quiet neighborhood in Austin will make you feel like you've just entered a Dr. Seuss book. Artist and owner James Edward Talbot created a home that would look and feel like an adult playhouse, complete with "talking tubes" to communicate with a person in another room, xylophones and bells that guests use to announce their arrival, and fire poles to slide from the second floor to the first. So guys, if this house ever goes up for sale, I will be the first one making an offer. Just sayin...
3) Munster Mansion (Waxahachie)
Owners Charles and Sandra McKee took it upon themselves to create a replica of the house from the 1960s sitcom, The Munsters. It's considered a "living work" because they continuously add pieces to the home after watching more footage from the show. Inside, you will find everything from Grandpa's electric chair to the coffin phone booth. You can actually schedule a tour on their website, so stop by if you want to explore the house for yourself!
4) Steel House (Lubbock)
Built by Robert Bruno over a 30 year time period, this odd looking steel structure stands in a regular old suburb in Lubbock. Neighbors and passersby have compared it to a pig, a spaceship, and even a villain's hideaway from a James Bond movie. The builder said he never really wanted a home; he just loves creating sculptures and things with aesthetic value.
5) Falkenstein Castle (Burnet)
After becoming inspired by a trip to the Castle Neuschwanstein in Germany the year prior, developer Terry Young and his wife Kim set to work on their own castle in 1996. Though it's a private residence, they also hold weddings and other big events there upon request.
6) Hole House (Houston)
Though it's been demolished now, I wanted to showcase the incredible artwork of this home in pictures. Sculptors Dan Havel and Dean Ruck of Houston Alternative Art called it "Inversion," and completed the project for Art League Houston. Many people who passed by thought a tragic accident had happened, but no mishaps occurred here; just a masterpiece that lives on through pictures.
7) Kettle House (Galveston)
This house was supposedly built by a man who made storage tanks for oil companies, and left the place to his son after passing away. It's called "The Kettle House" due to its striking resemblance to a tea kettle, and a man is seen every few months doing work on the property and then disappearing mysteriously for months at a time.
8) Dietz-Castilla Doll House (Seguin)
This adorable doll house located next to Los Nogales Museum was built for an adopted daughter who came to Seguin on one of the orphan trains from NYC.
9) Cathedral of Junk (Austin)
Literally a big pile of garbage that one man, Vince Hannemann, started building in 1988. Since then, he estimates he's collected over 60 tons of junk. It's open for tours, but make sure to call ahead before stopping by.
10) Futuro House (Royse City)
This is one of only 100 "UFO Houses" built by a Finnish architect in the late 1960s and early 70s. Since being abandoned, this one received a nice orange paint job to make it look a bit more spiffy for onlookers.
Do you know of any other strange or eccentric homes in Texas we should know about?
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