Just off the Avenue of the Giants in northern California, the remains of a beloved fantasy world are slowly crumbling.This bizarre attraction was once a popular roadside destination on trips around the region, but it’s become a much wilder place since its abandonment. Read on to learn more about this charming and enchanting spot.

Once upon a time, the story of J.R.R. Tolkien's “The Hobbit” was brought to life in Hobbiton USA.
Flickr/Orin Sebest
Built in the 1970s, Hobbiton USA was a tribute to the classic fantasy novel.
Flickr/sandwich
The park didn’t feature any rides or games, but was more of a nature walk through scenes from the book.
Flickr/Brenna
The characters were crafted from cement, which left some key players looking a bit odd. Gollum and Aragorn were said to look especially lumpy.
Flickr/Erin Johnson

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Luckily, each tableau came equipped with a button-activated speaker that would explain the scene being presented.
Flickr/Brenna
It’s easy to imagine the kind of copyright nightmare this place would have faced had it opened today.
Flickr/Sandwich
The park closed in 2009. It’s unclear whether legal trouble caused the gates of Middle Earth to close, but the park is now being reclaimed by nature.
Flickr/Brenna
Some of the sculptures are still visible, including Gandalf at the door of Bilbo Baggins’ hobbit hole.
Flickr/Brenna

 

It’s a shame that such a delightfully enchanting spot was left to decay. Would you have visited Hobbiton in its heyday? Did you ever walk through the park?

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