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!
.
Woman Spends 10 Years at Home Raising 4 Kids, Husband Complains He is the Only Breadwinner
One evening, after an exhausting day at the office, Henry returned home, dropped his briefcase on the couch, loosened his tie, and settled in to watch TV. When Alison asked him for help retrieving something from a high shelf, he ignored her, choosing instead to relax. Frustrated, Alison asked again, and this time, Henry snapped.
“I’ve been working all day, and you’ve been home doing nothing! Can’t I just have a moment of peace?” he shouted. His words deeply offended Alison, leading to a heated argument. She defended her role, pointing out that managing the household and raising their kids was no small feat. Henry, still unwilling to see her side, retorted, “I work hard to provide for this family while you just cook, clean, and look after the kids. You get breaks. I don’t.”
Tired of the constant dismissals, Alison proposed they swap roles, challenging Henry to see firsthand who had the more demanding job. Confident that he would breeze through her responsibilities, Henry agreed to the switch.
The next morning, Alison prepared for her first day at Henry’s office, while Henry, eager to prove himself, tackled the household duties. Things quickly went awry. He burnt breakfast, struggled to get the kids ready for school, and even accidentally brought the wrong child home at pick-up time. His attempts to do laundry ended in disaster, with his white shirts dyed in bright colors. Dinner was another fiasco—burnt tortillas filled the kitchen with smoke, and Henry was left exhausted and overwhelmed.
By the fourth day of their challenge, Alison returned home to find the house spotless and dinner neatly plated on the table. For a moment, she was stunned. Had Henry finally mastered the art of homemaking? But Henry quickly revealed the truth—he had hired a housekeeper to manage the tasks he couldn’t handle.
“Honey, I’m so sorry,” Henry said, offering her a bouquet of roses. “I’ve realized just how hard you work, and I was wrong to take it for granted. You win.”
Alison, touched by his newfound understanding, forgave him. They decided to keep the housekeeper to lighten Alison’s load, allowing her more time with the children. From that day on, Henry never complained about his job again, and he was always quick to help Alison whenever she needed it.
Moral of the story: Don’t underestimate or take someone’s responsibilities for granted. Henry thought managing the household was easy until he experienced the challenges firsthand. It was only after swapping roles with his wife that he truly appreciated the hard work Alison had been doing all along.
Leave a Reply