Nestled in Crossville, Tennessee, the world’s most colossal treehouse stood as a testament to an extraordinary vision.
Horace Burgess, its creator, claimed divine inspiration for the construction of what became known as “The Minister’s Tree House”. Since 1993, a staggering 250,000 nails were meticulously placed across its ten stories, all supported by the steadfast foundation of six mighty oaks.
Spanning over 3000 square meters, the living space amalgamated across its multiple floors. Remarkably, this wooden marvel, which took 14 years to complete, supposedly incurred a mere $12,000 in costs
What kind of person embarks on such an ambitious endeavor, you might wonder? Perhaps a lunatic, one might think. However, according to Burgess, God directed him to undertake this extraordinary project, promising an unending supply of wood.
True to his conviction, the treehouse featured a central space designed for both prayer and basketball games, along with a penthouse crowning its tenth floor. A substantial half-ton church bell further accentuated its grandeur.
Over the years, the countless planks that composed the treehouse bore witness to the marks left by intrigued tourists who flocked to witness this architectural wonder.
Despite its popularity, the treehouse faced closure in 2012 due to violations of local fire codes. Concerns mounted as the fire department feared the catastrophic consequences of a blaze in a structure entirely crafted from wood.
Regrettably, those fears materialized as the colossal treehouse succumbed to flames in less than half an hour. Standing at an impressive 97 feet in Crossville, Tennessee, the Minister’s Treehouse became engulfed in a destructive inferno.
Constructed through the 1990s with a promise that building a treehouse meant never running out of material, the structure comprised 80 rooms, including classrooms, bedrooms, and a kitchen. Supported by an 80-foot white oak tree, it featured a wraparound porch connecting the five stories with a winding stairway.
The interior, a blend of the quirky and spiritual, boasted a hand-carved Bible, towering cross, and wooden pews. The name “JESUS” was even mowed into the grass beneath the building, emphasizing its spiritual significance.
Tourism ceased in 2012 due to safety breaches, leading to its eventual closure by state fire marshals.
The demise of the Minister’s Treehouse was swift, and Captain Derek Carter of the Cumberland County Fire Department, who had visited the treehouse as a tourist in the past, described it as “very cool, but also very dangerous”.
For those who once marveled at its grandeur, the Minister’s Treehouse remains a cherished memory, even as it has now returned to the earth from which it was built.
Share the story of this once majestic treehouse with family and friends!
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A woman takes a photo while sprinting through the rainforest, only to later notice an eerie detail in the bushes
Over the years, the internet has seen its fair share of spooky images. From possible Bigfoot sightings to UFOs in the sky to ghosts haunting the windows of old houses, there’s no shortage of creepy photos.
While many of these images are often easily explained, usually just by camera blur or clever Photoshop work, there are some that seem to defy all logic. Take the case of runner Kay Borleis, who discovered something disturbing in a photo she took during her 100-mile run through the Hawaiian rainforest.
In 2019, Kay participated in the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team’s Trail 100-Mile Endurance Run, which involved completing five laps of a 20-mile loop through dense jungle. She was accompanied by her friend Cassie, who acted as a pacemaker and captured moments during her run.
A photo showing Kay walking along a muddy trail took a surprising turn when she later noticed a strange detail in the background. In a post on Reddit, Kay shared: “My Pacer took this photo. Look closely at the figure to the left of my head. We didn’t see anyone pass by and there were no statues on the trail. It’s NOT photoshopped; this is real”.
When you zoom in on the image, you can see a dark figure in tattered clothing who appears to be watching Kay as he runs. However, Kay insisted that no one was there at the time.
She continued: “According to Hawaiian legend, the ghosts of ancient warriors known as Night Marchers roam the island. Described as ‘murderous shadows’, they haunt the land as the spirits of past fighters and heroes”.
Kay continued her research and found that legends say that anyone who looks at the Night Marchers could face a terrible fate. To avoid this, mortals are advised to lie down in submission to show respect, which could potentially spare them harm.
“Luckily we didn’t encounter the Night Marcher”, she said with relief. Have you ever spotted something unexpected in one of your photos? Share your experiences in the comments!
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