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!
.
Circus lion was locked up for 20 long years, now watch his reaction when he’s released
Even though I adore animals, I can state unequivocally that a mature mountain lion should not be locked up in the back of a pickup truck.
However, Mufasa, a mountain lion, was made to live exactly there by force.
His existence was turned into a living hell while he was a touring circus act in Peru, all to amuse the public and enrich his owner.
Thankfully, a few animal lovers saved him.
Numerous animals are still mistreated and ignored in zoos, circuses, and other entertainment venues today. Although many animals’ circumstances have improved recently, there is still more work to be done.
due to the fact that thousands of needy animals are still compelled to live in cramped quarters and are denied the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives.
In Peru, a pickup truck was discovered with a chained mountain lion named Mufasa on it. Forcibly thrust into a life he neither desired nor earned, he had spent twenty years living there.
Mufasa was fortunate to have luck later in life. After several months of arduous work, Animal Defenders International, an organization dedicated to animal rights, succeeded in getting him released in 2015. When the group attempted to close down an entire Peruvian circus, they came across him.
Mufasa’s well-being significantly improved upon gaining independence. He was given the essential right that all wild creatures deserve, which is to live out his final years in the embrace of nature and on his own terms, as opposed to having to endure a life full of fear and persecution.
Mufasa’s story of rescue is heartwarming, and the video below documents his first steps toward independence. It’s really lovely!
Mufasa spent a few months of freedom following his rescue from the circus before his health started to deteriorate.
Twenty years of being shackled to the back of a pickup truck had taken a toll, resulting in kidney failure and other age-related problems. According to Animal Defenders International, he passed away in 2015.
However, his tale still throws light on a crucial matter.
Mufasa was a beautiful, kind animal that enjoyed having his back scratched. It is regrettable that he was unable to spend more time in the Amazon, his native home, but it would have been even more tragic if he had never known freedom.
The way Mustafa was treated was not acceptable for any animal! Please spread the word about this movie to demonstrate that you support animals as well!
Animal Bible is the publisher. Would you please like?
Leave a Reply