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Roadside America: One of the greatest miniature villages in the world (26 HQ Photos)

June 6, 2012 | In: Art, Awesome, Beautiful, Design, High-Res, Mind Blowing

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Found Via Buzzfeed

: Located in a town called Shartlesville, Pennsylvania lies a little roadside gem that harbors one of the world’s best miniature villages.

: Laurence Gieringer the owner and creator spent over 60 years building the mini town with his hands.

: The display is 8,000 square feet.

: There are buttons all around the exhibit that move objects or make sounds in the villages.

: There are over 10,000 trees, all of which are made by hand.

: This is the guestbook. As you can see, people have been coming back to this place for decades.

: Yes, that’s a waterfall.

: The dioramas depict American life from the early pioneer days to the mid-20th Century (right up until Gierlinger passed away). Time basically stops in the small town in 1960.

Below is a video of the light show that takes place every half hour…

Source: Buzzfeed

http://theechad.wordpress.com Thee Chad

Reblogged this on Thee Chad Presents Stunner Ink and commented:
Awesome!!
Gallus

I live near Shartlesville, but I have never seen the village. I have put it on my agenda for this summer.

Time stopped there in 1960. Still, if it isn't the way America is, it's the way it should be.
ian

I live about 20-30 mins from this place. I crack up every time I pass the exit for this. I've never went into the town nor the tiny village. Guess, I should have.
vmalnd

Hah!!! Chive post close by me…have passed by here a bunch of times but never went in….now I don't have to thanks
Colin

that is very cool and I"m sure it took lots of blood, sweat, and tears building it. But how in the heck can you see everything if you're only walking around the outside of it. be really nice if you could walk on top on the thing via a bridge or something

Colin

now thinking about it, I"m sure this was built for the love of building it and probably nothing more

PubicJones

Gay.
Wembley

#9
Seriously? Segregation? Shame.
ZED

Pretty cool, Northlandz I think is better for the trains
http://www.northlandz.com
Detaildeviant

Brings back some good memories when my father used to me when I was little!
Casey w.

I live 15 minutes from this place. Went there in elementary school for a field trip! It is very cool.
David

I have loved this place since I was a kid (a LONG time ago). We used to visit it every year when we went to visit family. It's outdated and kitschy which just add to the charm. Took my kids there about 10 years ago, and it was probably my first visit in 20 years, and I still loved it for the memories. This is one of the few, real American roadside attractions left from that era.
etcrr

It must be seen, It is way better in person
Brian K

I used to stop there all the time with the family on our way to Knoebels

Matt B

Knoebels one of the few parks where parking is free and no admission just pay to ride what you want.

http://ralphpaone.tumblr.com Ralph

I'd love to see how they avoided stepping on stuff while assembling this masterpiece. Shit, I'd be afraid to move if I was fixing up something in the centre.
strawberrymoustache

Don't believe any of it, it's just TILT SHIFT.

mind = blown.
thedude325

Those problems have been solved.
http://www.twitter.com/pjblackburn20 Paul Blackburn

I hope they all come alive at night while the place is closed.
anon

i used to go to this place when i was growing up … american classic
edwin winnipeg

#2 its perfect that the R is missing it adds to the rustic charm
twinix

amazing too http://www.miniatur-wunderland [dot] com/
MBT29

The best one is Miniatur Wunderland (Google it), but it's in Europe.
Peter

Nice, but….ever been to Hamburg? Watch this: http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/
OnOneWheel24

#19 Someone has a little time on their hands….
Matt B

PA proud! Been here a few times. Awesome to see small town USA represented on the Chive. Between the Amish and chocolate town USA (Hershey). Let's get a Chive meetup in PA. KCCO

Casey W

Agreed!

http://www.facebook.com/dwight.butler.12 Dwight Butler

#3 That's what she said

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