The House on the Rock in Wisconsin is an attraction that truly defies simple description. More than just a dwelling, it’s an extraordinary experience perched high on Deer Shelter Rock, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Wisconsin forest. This unique and captivating landmark is the creation of Alex Jordan Jr., who began its construction in 1945.
Jordan’s vision was to integrate the house seamlessly with the natural environment of Deer Shelter Rock. He painstakingly moved much of the initial construction material by hand, building around the existing trees and utilizing the terrain to his advantage. While not conventionally built, the house is aesthetically stunning, blending natural materials with elements of Japanese design, making it a wonder to behold.
Initially a private project, word of the House on the Rock spread after a feature in a local Madison magazine. Intrigued visitors started arriving, requesting tours. Jordan, recognizing an opportunity, began charging a small fee, and quickly realized the potential of his creation as a roadside attraction. He started actively marketing the House on the Rock and expanding it with increasingly marvelous and eccentric collections.
As visitor numbers grew into the thousands annually, Jordan expanded his staff and embarked on constructing additional buildings to house his ever-growing and diverse collections. These additions transformed the House on the Rock into a sprawling complex of wonders. “The Streets of Yesteryear” offers visitors a nostalgic stroll through a meticulously recreated Victorian-era streetscape, while “The Heritage of the Sea” hall is dominated by an awe-inspiring three-story sculpture depicting a sea monster locked in combat with a whale-like leviathan.
Jordan’s passion for collecting extended to beautiful and intricate musical creations from around the globe. This passion culminated in the creation of the “World’s Largest Carousel,” a breathtaking spectacle featuring 269 animals – notably, none of which are horses – and illuminated by 20,000 dazzling lights. Beyond these grand exhibits, entire museum-scale collections of guns, dollhouses, musical instruments, and model ships await discovery.
Today, the House on the Rock welcomes over a million visitors each year, solidifying its status as a major Wisconsin landmark and one of the state’s most frequented attractions. While undeniably a “roadside attraction,” it transcends the typical definition, offering an experience that is whimsical, strange, and profoundly overwhelming in its sensory richness.
A visit to the House on the Rock is an immersive journey that requires hours to explore fully. It’s less about traditional learning and more about pure, unadulterated enjoyment. Imagine stepping into a giant funhouse designed for adults – that’s the essence of the House on the Rock. The sheer scale and eccentricity make it worth every penny of the admission price. The experience is, in a word, overwhelming. While photographs struggle to capture the true essence of the House on the Rock, as much of its interior is dimly lit, the memories and feelings it evokes are vivid and lasting. It’s a place that truly must be experienced firsthand to be believed and fully appreciated.
