Before we leave the pleasant burg of Atlanta, Illinois, I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of the better unintentional eccentric roadside attractions we've stumbled upon. The town inhabits a free-standing framed door on a lot. No house, no building, just a door. While photographing the beautiful hand-painted building murals in town (see previous post), I did a double-take at this odd sight. It sits on Route 25 near the intersection of SW 1st Street, across the street from Chubby's Bar & Grill. As we were investigating, a nice chap from Chubby's told us the story. Apparently, several years ago, there was a fellow who wanted to build a house on this plot of land. His wished to build the house with its side facing the street. The town informed him of an ordinance that stated a house must have a door facing the street of its address. So this fellow built his house the way he wanted to and built a free-standing door facing the street. And there it remains. What makes it even funnier is the fact that the door has a screen/storm door attached. Who says you can't fight City Hall?
7 comments:
This is absolutely great. City Hall be damned. LOL!
Thanks, Richard. It's the great outdoor!
sublime... resistance is NOT futile.
Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out!!!!
Useful information. Thanks for the sharing.
That story is mostly correct. The builder/occupant of the house is George Deavers. He built the house and asked for an address on "Arch" street, which is the original Rt. 66 that runs through town. The city told him that his address must coincide with the street that his door faces. He installed the pictured door and was granted an address on Arch Street. George is in his 90's and a WWII veteran. He still attends my church every Sunday and is doing well despite a recent stroke.
Thanks for the update, Robbie, and our eccentric hats are off to George! Please give him our best regards.
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