Roadside America Final Days

[@brianz.4876]

This just breaks my heart. To see an American landmark close...forever. I could cry.

[@seancrouse9623]

I am.

[@Valkonnen]

It was part of our vacations in the 1970's and I'll never forget the magic of the patriotic finale. If there was ever a time that America needs that kind of pride, it's right now. This was one American's dream, and he built it all on his own. It's nice to know that at the end of your life, something that you made with your own hands, brought a real sense of wonder to millions of visitors and sparked imagination and patriotism in kids like me.

[@therealjackfriday]

Very smart and sincere words. Thank you for that wonderful comment, I couldn't agree more.

[@SomeplaceOrAnother]

What an amazing place 🤩 it's a shame there closing the doors

[@hmmmmm6243]

I was here a bunch of times as a kid with the whole family. My mom died when I was 8 (1975) and fast forward I was able to take my own kids there twice before it closed. It’s the only place I can think of that I know for sure they and their grandmother visited. That second time you could see how run down it was and the kids working there didn’t want to be there. And yeah I know things change and life marches on but the point was this man made this with his own hands and was able to share it with people. It’s funny this and the huge, hand made battlefield map/model at Gettysburg were both dismantled within I think 2 or 3 years of each other? 2 highlights of my childhood and as grateful as I am to have seen them I’m more grateful for the kind hearted parents who loved me enough to take me there and give me these memories. Wow and all I was *gonna* say was “Hey this place as really cool!” lol

[@huntercoleman460]

While it is sad it’s gone now. Look on the bright side, anyone can do what Laurence Geiringer did. Model railroading has also come a long way since then. I Roadside America will never be forgotten.

[@scottdegregoris7987]

Happened upon this while researching a dissertation chapter I'm writing and corresponding class I'm teaching this semester--thanks for sharing. I regret that I will never get to experience this and I am sorry to hear of it closing.

[@huntercoleman460]

I never got to see it either. Good thing we have videos of Roadside America. Also maybe a someday a new Roadside America will appear.

[@tomtke7351]

"Life is just a party and parties weren't meant to last.........."

[@maryannzakshevsky5181]

I just heard about this. How could this be happening? It’s an American treasure. It’s a work of art. It should be a preserved land mark. If I had the means to save it I would. Is there no one with the means to save this? You would be a hero to the the next generations who I know would be amazed by this stunning display. Bad times will pass. Travelers will want to see this. I bet from other countries too. So sad.

[@whynot8082]

Dam! Very late to the party! Went here in the 70s with our Cub Scout troop and always wanted to go back. The wife and I just moved back to Pennsylvania and I went online to plan a visit and gone! Very very bummed. I can’t imagine what a wretched decision it was for the family.

[@cnj1136]

Sad to see it go.

[@krystalstarrett6760]

Sad, I drove comercialy, went by there many times. Always on a schedule and wanted to stop, but could not.

[@thomashendershot1846]

So sad. Kate Smith singing with flag.. So much more... I wish I had the money to take it over....

[@studyhistory989]

Sad to see it go it should have been saved as a historic site but we are to busy fighting over BS in politics that the wonders of this country are fading away.

[@anthonymiller8979]

I remember seing it on a bus trip with my family when I was 8 or 9 years old (I'm 65 now). While Covid did not help their last yeaar in 2020 the display and business has been for sale for 3 years with no buyer so was coming to an end despite Covid.

[@arielfilmsinc1926]

The lighting there is better then my vids have two on my channel hope to get more AND despite the cost I was able to get a log cabin two other buildings and a few knick knacks including one of the reefer cars and track sections(NOTHING WAS cheap) I hop to before years end have some more vids up including my purchases with tribute video and was there as it was being taken down literally the 11th hour wish I could have saved it

What happened to all the scenery, buIldings,, etc. Was there an auction?

[@therealjackfriday]

Yes there were two auctions. Most of the layout pieces were sold at very high prices. The average house/building on the train display went for about $500 sometimes much more. I don't know what the rolling stock prices were. I only watched the first auction which sold items other than the actual trains.

[@wthomas7955]

"Shartlesville"...? Unfortunately named town.