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.
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Beloved Reality TV star d ies with beloved dog at his side in horror boating accident
A pilot for the National Geographic show Wicked Tuna died in a boating accident.On Sunday night, Charlie Griffin was boating with a friend in the Outer Banks of North Carolina when he went missing.According to the Coast Guard, two boaters who left Virginia Beach were late getting to Wanchese, North Carolina,
where their boat needed repairs on Sunday night at 11 p.m. According to a Coast Guard spokesperson to The Virginian-Pilot, they hadn’t been seen or heard from since 6:15 that night.
Coast Guard members and local first responders found the empty boat on Monday. They went inside and found Griffin and his dog’s bodies.Officials are still looking for the second person who was supposed to be on the trip as of Monday evening.A heartbreaking post on Griffin’s Facebook page, Reels of Fortune, confirmed that he had died.A photo of Griffin smiling and getting some sun was posted with the words, “It is with the deepest sadness that we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have died in a boating accident today.”“Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”Griffin started working as an actor in North Carolina in Season 2 of Wicked Tuna and stayed until Season 5.The ongoing reality TV show on National Geographic follows experienced fishermen who make a living by catching huge fish that can be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
At the end of the season, the fisherman who did the best is called the winner, which guarantees them bragging rights for life.The fourth season ended with Griffin winning.Celebrity fans shared their condolences and heartbreak over the terrible news on social media.A fan wrote, “One of my all-time favorite guys.”“Rest easy Griff.”Others said, “This is very sad for all show fans.”“He will forever be one of my favorites.”Some fans shared a heartbreaking picture of Charlie and Leila that they said they met last summer on a boat ride.“Charlie was very knowledgable and friendly, a great captain,” a fan wrote.
Lisa, Leila was a great dog. Familie and friends of him are in our thoughts and prayers.An organization that supports commercial fishermen called NC Watermen United also said that Griffin was “well loved and will be missed by many.”An organization said in a statement, “We will always be grateful for the difference he made in our lives.”
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