Roadside America, Saying Farewell to an iconic Roadside Attraction in Pa.

In this video, I took the trip to Shartlesville, Pa to say goodbye to a roadside attraction that has been around since 1941. Roadside America has forever closed it's doors. The roadside attraction is no more after decades of being family run and a big part of it's community. It also held sunday church service and had a zoo at one time behind it. Word has it that there will be an auction to sell of the display. All the info I could find on that is on the website that states updates on the auction will be listed on their facebook.
Facebook page: / raminivillage
The Morning Call link: www.mcall.com/opinion/readers...
Roadside America: www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/2208
Adam the Woo: • Roadside America : The...
Here is an Update on the auction information scheduled for December 28th. The link to the auction company can be found in this article.
www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz...

[@studegler2449]

I worked at Roadside America from 1959 to 1962. It was a great experience. Larry was an innovator in how built the display with all the trains and moving features. It was fun to watch the thousands of people enjoy they display. There many busloads of school groups and scouts who came to enjoy the display. It is sad to see it go.

[@rj78productions88]

Oh wow, that must have been amazing knowing him. Thank you for sharing this. That is what i hope this video can do for those who have been here, keep the memories alive.

[@wthomas7955]

You must have been working there when I was a kid. I remember stopping on the way to my grandfather's house up in Allentown.

[@edithdavis2848]

Kate Smith, that was her song. We are loosing so much of our heritage, they just can not keep up,with changing times. Thank you RJ for saving this much.

[@rj78productions88]

Glad to have preserved it the best that o could.

[@adamtereska8734]

It's really a shame it had to close down. Last time I was there was when I was much younger. Sad to see it gone.

[@rj78productions88]

Yeah, sign of the times sadly. Dark forces are aimed to take everything away from us.

[@frankforrest1597]

Darn! Another part of my childhood gone. Stopped here as a kid in the late 60s early 70s going to visit family. It seems that each year there is less and less of these great attractions. Thank you RJ for sharing this somewhat sad news. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[@rj78productions88]

It definitely is sad and yes, your right, we are losing more and more by the day.

[@lucifermorningstar8541]

All I can say is thank you RJ for this video because my fiancé got to see it a few times there with her dad when she was a little girl , But I never got to see it until now and now it’s too late to see it in person

[@rj78productions88]

I will definitely miss it.

[@cynthiacleaver9742]

That was an enormous village!! So much to see, they really did a good job putting it together!! Too bad JP didn’t get there, he would’ve loved it. Thanks for sharing this with us!!! 💖💖💖💙💙💙💖💖💖

[@rj78productions88]

I was determined and bugged him a lot to get him there. Just couldn't make it happen sadly. And yes, you are right, he would have been a big kid in a candy store.

[@stpworld]

@@rj78productions88 I may have some of the last footage before it shut down I went in at the end of 2018 Have quite a lot of it to.

[@brianregal9899]

My dad brought me to RSA in 1966 when I was 6yo. I was totally taken with it. Immediately upon getting home to NJ I built my own tiny table top version. Sad to see it go.

[@Fundaddy5000]

This place was amazing! We stopped in 9 years ago while driving from NJ to Lynchburg VA. The layout was superb, and when the music came on everyone stopped and placed hands over hearts.

[@fyddl3cat]

Sad to see this gone. Visited Roadside America 10 or 12 times since '68 with my dad and later with my daughter. I used to look forward to seeing the airplane flying around in circles from a wire in the dark during the God Bless America. Didn't see it in the video. And yes! I remember the player piano when you exit the big room. I am glad I picked up a bunch of post cards and brochures from there last time. Thanks RJ for the video.

[@kenamosjr.bo_51]

Truly sad to loose another iconic place, this virus has hurt many a business. I hope someone is able to save it.

[@rj78productions88]

It definitely is. Really wish i could have seen it one last time before closing. Glad to have gotten the footage when i did.

[@nateshon3eastbroadtoprailr448]

The virus hasn't hurt small businesses, our governor, and other governors around the country, killed small businesses by illegally and illogically shutting down our state

[@anthonymiller8979]

They have been trying to sell it for the past 3 years

[@preacherjim14739]

My wife and I watched this video last night 12/28/20. It was awesome. We both wished we knew about this place before it closed. Would have been a great place to take our Grandchildren too. Thanks for showing the video when the place was in operation

[@rj78productions88]

Your welcome, i hope with the auction which started yesterday, someone was or will be able to save the entire display and relocate for future generations to see. Thank you for watching.

[@lucifermorningstar8541]

Man if only I was a millionaire I would’ve bought the place and gave everybody their jobs back to run it and if it had to sit for a little while it would have to sit for a little while but it would never go anywhere that is history right there

[@rj78productions88]

I agree, i would have loved to kept it going if i had the funds.

[@JamieMakin]

A few years ago when they put it up for sale, I was buying extra lottery tickets hoping to be able to purchase the place to keep it going. Alas, I was unlucky. Really sad that nobody could step up to save it.

[@rj78productions88]

That would have been awesome Jaime. I definitely would have gone in on it with you.

[@JamieMakin]

@@rj78productions88 well, I'll keep playing the lottery and maybe win enough to build our own place! I'd definitely need help to build and run it.

[@rj78productions88]

Just as long as there can be a wing for my tractors. Lol.

[@Brianrockrailfan]

liked video also so sad 👍😢😭

[@coalcrackerchris]

😪Thanks for sharing!!! Awsome video!! First went there in 1975 on preschool field trip. Love how you push buttons to make things work. I was there last in the 90's. Neat how 1 man built ALL of this from scratch!!! Hope someone buys it as a whole and reopens it. A petition should be circulated to prederve it. Im sure gov. Wolf is hearing about this place closing by lots of people who dont want to see it go. Might as well close the statue of liberty and sell it too!!

[@rj78productions88]

Exactly, its all about erasing hostory, remember??

[@NYandAtlantic]

Amazing place to visit damn shame another piece of history gone never to be seen again

[@user-vp5nd6ok3s]

This hurts my heart so much. This has always been one of my favorite places.

[@rj78productions88]

I am glad that I could do this video to help keep it's memory alive.

[@huntercoleman460]

It’s amazing how Lawrence Geringer was able to make those buildings. You just don’t see that kind of craftsmanship and detail anymore. Anyone can make their own Roadside America. It just takes patience and love. Although I’ve noticed some of the buildings aren’t in scale with the trains. Model railroading is the world’s greatest hobby for a reason. Don’t you agree.

[@richardgazinia5482]

In 1985 my older brother and I left his house in Kennett Square, PA to find Roadside America. This was before GPS was introduced to the public. All we had was a foldable map of Pennsylvania and time on our hands. Well after several hours of driving that included a pit stop at a Pizza Hut outside of Reading, PA we never did find it. Now I commute from time to time from outside Harrisburgh to New York City and whiz past it while traveling on Rt. 78. Thank you for finally allowing me to see inside this fantastic place. I just wish I could have seen it myself before it closed. Have you ever been to the Choo-Choo Barn in Strasburg, PA near the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum?

[@dancriswell3392]

Hi RJ I’m upset they had to close it down I passed it 2 years ago on my way to philly I never stopped now I wish I would have now great video that place was so nice thank you for sharing

[@rj78productions88]

It definitely does suck that it closed. Sign of the times sadly. Just think things are gonna get worse sadly.

[@fluffyotter1601]

Thank you.....you did a great job highlighting Roadside America 🇺🇸

[@rj78productions88]

Thank you. I hope the display goes to a good home and can continue on for more generations to see and enjoy.

[@KflanntheRailfan]

Went here many times, when I was on active orders at the GAP, I would be here and of course came here with my parents. Still love Kate Smith singing. Everything on that display was hand made. It was all unique and one of a kind minus the trains themselves. Such a loss, now the collection is going to be split up. Thank you for sharing RJ

[@markcoyle7163]

That is a awesome place. Going to really be missed.

[@rj78productions88]

It definitely will be. I ran into a gentleman in the parking lot that told me 7 generations of his family had been here including his great grand children. He is the one that told me about the Zoo and church services.

[@billwalton5577]

Wow what a display that place looked awesome so much history amazing train Village and everything I would have loved to seen that place what a great video thank you so much for sharing your time there I really wish I could have made it here that is so cool so sad these places are disappearing the only thing you're going to have it's just memories of these old places and where they used to be

[@outandaboutsciencewithmr.g]

This makes me incredibly sad. I have never been there...but what an absolutely amazing looking place. A big piece of history going away...Thank you so much for documenting it RJ!!!

[@johntucker845]

Been there many times over the years. Truly sad when it closed and heard all the contents were being auctioned off. I had always hoped some museum would purchase it and keep it together. Great loss!

[@rj78productions88]

I had only been there twice but it was still memorable. I agree, it would have been nice if it could have been preserved whole somewhere else, but at least some lucky folks got to get some pieces of the history.

[@pameladonnelson2093]

It’s so sad that it’s gone that would be a wonderful place to go and see thank you RJ

[@martyjones9374]

This place is Amazing!! So glad you have it documented RJ. Such a very sad loss. Jay would love this! Thank you so much for sharing. Hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving.

[@rj78productions88]

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving as well. Thank you.

[@nssunburylinerailfanraymon8563]

That place was awesome sad to see them shut down I have a lot of memories

[@maryannschweikert4495]

Was here several times and was so surprised to hear that it was closing. I have quite a few photos that I took there and I am so glad I did.

[@drlock978]

I remember the piano,down at the bottom of the steps.

[@703am]

it had to be an amazing place to see, I never got to go there, long gone now but thanks for doing this video

[@rj78productions88]

I wish it was still there. And you are welcome.

[@SandraPinkParanormal]

This was pretty interesting thanks for sharing👍

[@suzanjournagan1112]

A very amazing display! So sad it had to end!😧 Wonderful how proud of his country and not afraid to show love for God and Country. Thanks for sharing RJ

[@rusty1255]

My mother and father took me there as a kid many times. My wife an I took our kids there and we took our grand children. I'm very sad to see it close. I was hoping to take my great grand children. It was a family tradition to go there.

[@rj78productions88]

I am glad i got to experience it before it was gone and am very sad to have seen it go myself. Thank you for the comment and sharing your memories 😊

[@my2cents945]

That place was part of a Sunday drive pilgrimage my family took yearly when I was a kid. My mother was a serious "leaf peeper" and loved riding thru that area in the fall to witness the changing of the leaves. We would hit Crystal Cave, then Roadside America, then dinner at the Haag Hotel. I've had my kids up there several times also. Sad to see it go.

[@rj78productions88]

Thank you for sharing your memories. That was the goal of this video was to keep the memories alive and well.

[@lesaanderson2525]

Awesome job RJ thanks for sharing. Sad that it had to close

[@lesaanderson2525]

My dad took me there when I was younger on the way to tca train meet.

[@rj78productions88]

That is cool that you got to see it. I love how they left it as it was from 1963 when the man who built it passed on as a tribute to his vision rather then updating it.

[@GSK1126]

Just started coming here within the last 8 years, when I moved closer to the area. The last time I was here was with my mom and son Easter Monday 2019, then visited the gift shop. What a gem it was, thanks for the video.

[@rj78productions88]

Thank you for sharing this memory. I will definitely always remember my 2 visits here. Sadly the first visit was many years ago and didn't film it. Makes me wonder where the guest book ended up that everyone got to sign.

[@GSK1126]

@@rj78productions88 I drove by it so many times, glad I got to visit it. I should point out my mom passed away last year, and it is a nice memory the last time I was there was with my mom and son.

[@rj78productions88]

I am glad that i was able to help you hold onto that memory.

[@arielfilmsinc1926]

I was able to get some "real estate" of it paying it of for a while The Trains will be sold later this year Also a book is in the works if ONLY I WAS A LONE MEGA MILLION POWER BALL WINNER........................................

[@GSK1126]

@@arielfilmsinc1926 thanks for the update, looking forward to the book.

[@jaywenger2044]

I remember gong there many of times. took pictures and video of it. It is sad that is gone. But not Forgotten.

[@rj78productions88]

It is sad, i did hear yesterday that someone i know was able to score some items from the auction. Just don't know what he got.

[@mariamagdalenabarber4207]

Thank you, RJ

[@rj78productions88]

Your welcome.

[@karafuller3033]

Never heard of it before. Looked amazing, though. Sad to see so much of the past disappearing right before our eyes.

[@csvideo997]

I grown up going here for many many years. I have too get a piece of history when they auction items off. Sad day

[@williammcfadden2869]

RJ78, thank you for this video which provided a comprehensive view of the Roadside America miniature village. I visited Roadside America during my childhood several times and visited again in 2005 in my adulthood. The miniature village was intended to depict rural American life in both earlier times and at the time in which Roadside America was created. To the best of my knowledge, very little if any was changed after the village went into its location in 1953. That was interesting history about the building being a dance hall prior, I did not know that but I can see it in that the construction of the building resembles dance halls which were popular in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. In the miniature village the anthracite mine resembles the anthracite mines in Schuylkill County which is directly north of Berks County where Roadside America was (is) located. The small town was built to resemble nearby Hamburg, PA. I am saddened by hearing of the closing. Every time a piece of Americana is lost, towns and cities in our country lose their uniqueness and become part of the bland and homogenized nation and society that modern America has become.

[@rj78productions88]

Thank you very much for that helpful information. Definitely is sad to see it go since i had only been there twice myself.

[@NixCrossing]

Great video ! This is so sad to hear , especially after just filming at Choo Choo barn this past Friday.

[@lovesmashbox]

At the beginning of this video I thought it was a restaurant because when you looked in the window that's what it looked like. Wish my dad could have seen this layout. My dad had no scale . Great video.

[@rj78productions88]

The building actually was a dance hall at one time.

[@kategulick4781]

Well if that model of a tram is anything to go by, at 150 miles an hour, I'll never take a tram there! What an awesome place.

[@jaclyn.b]

Thanks for sharing.. I was never there.

[@rj78productions88]

I was luck to have been here twice.

[@huntercoleman460]

Why can’t I stop watching videos of this place?

[@rj78productions88]

It is addictive. Was a very cool display. Still sad it is no more.

[@Raven844954]

Wow, this place is so neat! I’ve always had a thing for model trains and miniatures so I would have definitely enjoyed it there. It’s such a shame that they had to close.

[@rj78productions88]

It definitely is to see ones passion become a thing of the past. At least we can still remember it through this and others footage.

[@danmathers141]

Thanks RJ. A wonderful display. Too bad it is lost forever. It could also have been used as a study on various modeling techniques for modelers.

[@rj78productions88]

It is sad that it is gone. It was a really cool display. And I agree with you on the study. At least we have the video to look back on and remember it.

[@huntercoleman460]

I found out about this place after watching Toy Train Revue after it closed. Would’ve liked to have seen it in person. Least we have videos of the display. Look on the bright side, the Choo Choo Barn is still open.

[@pattyroosa1712]

Little square dancers at 21:08. 🤣 There were a lot of water features in that display. Sad to see such a neato place closed.

[@dakota563]

I was there once it was a great place i loved it what a shame it had to close

[@rj78productions88]

Definitely a shame. Hate to see any small buisness not make it. Especially one like this.

[@bbo40]

Every model train guy's "dream" layout . Enough room to really run the trains.....

[@emeraldsoundproductions]

Well I can scratch that one off my list as i wanted to get there and film it. Very sad. I vaguely remember being there as a kid some 46 years ago.

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

I went Three Times I Loved It, Last Time Was 2009 I Stayed to see three light shows, and i would see something every time i went, i would have loved to buy it but i could not have it To open public, But Sad To think If Someone could have bought it and donated to a historical group, then at some point maybe they could have had opened it at least for holidays. but just think, there will never be anything like it ever again,just sad that the family had to let it go, just wish they could have kept it intact.

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

my memory the lady, i think was the granddaughter Of The old man,was not real friendly kind of hateful, but she didn't have to be polite, that display would speak for its self.

[@cavemanad]

That village is amazing.

[@rj78productions88]

Yes, it was an amazing place. Sadly it is no more. Has been closed and the display was auctioned off. But will always live on in videos like this and the memories and hearts of those who had the opportunity to see it. Thanks for watching.

[@cavemanad]

@@rj78productions88 That’s why I love videos of this nature. They capture, discover and share the world in places most don’t even know exist.

[@rj78productions88]

@@cavemanad Same here. Anyway we can preserve this history before it's gone forever. I am glad I was able to this at least twice in my life. And I feel sad for those who couldn't experience it on their own.

[@cavemanad]

@@rj78productions88 Anything RR always catches my eye. I’m glad I found these channels. One day I stumbled upon JP and from there you and the guy with the something about Apocalypse channel and down the rabbit hole I went. I’m a photographer and writer myself, but love to watch those with what it takes for videography.

[@rj78productions88]

@@cavemanad well welcome aboard and thank you for enjoying our content. Who knows, maybe we will cross paths someday. 😉

[@JamieMakin]

I'm so heartbroken that they're closing forever. I was last there about a decade ago and was enthralled with it. I had hoped to go back this year to film but of course the darned pandemic hit. I'm glad you got so much great video of it when it was open because that's the only way any of us will be able to enjoy it in the future. On a more upbeat note, have you and Jay been to Northlandz in Flemington, NJ yet? Similar idea but done very differently. It has more of a meandering path where you can't see everything all at once, so it's a real journey though it. It's got very deep canyons and many, many scratch-built bridges. It's HO scale if I recall. It's also got a running miniature steam engine outdoors, but I believe they only run it on the weekends. Last I heard they are open during the pandemic but require masks. It was built in the early 90s. I worked in Flemington at the time and remember seeing the building itself going up. If you haven't been there yet, I'd definitely recommend it.

[@rj78productions88]

I have driven passed it. I can try to get Jay over there, but he doesn't like Jersey.

[@JamieMakin]

@@rj78productions88 it's in the part of NJ that's more like PA, though I'm sure the area has been built up a lot since I was last there. Even if he doesn't want to go, I'd say check it out on your own. Well worth it IMO. The modeling itself isn't of the highest quality, but the sheer scale and scope of the place has to be experienced firsthand.

[@rick2112rkrk]

So sad. Found this video very difficult to watch. Just drove by there yesterday and saw the "Available " signs. Grew up in Allentown. Visited RSA with my folks, scouting group, and eventually my fiancée. It's like another piece of my childhood's been erased.

[@rj78productions88]

Well, one of the goals of this video was to help keep the memories alive for those who have seen it and for the ones who have not, be able to. Thank you for watching. Feel free to stop in and watch anytime you want to take a trip down memory lane.

[@rut5161]

👍

[@cabamama]

Even though I was never there, I am saddened to see that it is closed after that long a time in business. That train layout was totally awesome. Can I ask what happened to the train layout? I can hardly believe that one man built all that. It's a real shame Covid made it impossible to maintain. Very sad.

[@rj78productions88]

They are planning on an auction to sell the display off. Sad that it will go in pieces.

[@cabamama]

@@rj78productions88 Oh no......I'm sure the family hoped it would be preserved as a whole display as it was originally made. :( Glad you preserved it in video.

[@rj78productions88]

2020, what more can you say?

[@RevengeOfTheApocalypse]

soooo close to hitting 1k on this

[@Khalrua]

I never had a chance to go see it and now I never will

[@rj78productions88]

Well, i hope this video and others will help to keep its memory alive and well.

[@lucifermorningstar8541]

I read that the guy started building that thing at 1935 and then went from there

[@jeanbreaux9220]

THIS IS WHERE THE SCHOOL TOOK US ON FIELD TRIPS

[@heididorr2684]

So much buffering

[@susanorr7535]

Was this song sung by Kay Star?

[@arielfilmsinc1926]

IF ONLY I WAS THE SOLE WINNER OF A MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT OF HALF A BILLION WOULD STILL BE HERE Who is doing auction Noel Barret?