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.
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Meghan Markle’s Subtle Tribute to Princess Diana in Colombia Got People Talking
Meghan Markle is paying tribute to Princess Diana in a heartfelt way during her tour of Colombia. Recently, the Duchess of Sussex was seen wearing a pair of butterfly earrings that once belonged to Prince Harry’s late mother. But once the photos went public, everyone stated the same thing.
The meaningful jewelry choice was spotted during a visit to the Colegio La Giralda school in Santa Fe, where Meghan and Harry interacted with young students and toured the school grounds.
The butterfly earrings were a touching nod to Princess Diana, who had a deep connection with children. Before her marriage to King Charles in 1981, Diana worked as a kindergarten teacher in London, a role that reflected her lifelong commitment to nurturing young people. This connection is also immortalized in her statue at Kensington Palace, which shows her surrounded by three children, symbolizing her dedication to helping the youth around the world.
Princess Diana originally wore these butterfly earrings during a royal visit to Canada in May 1986, when Prince Harry was still a baby. Sadly, Diana passed away in 1997 following a tragic car accident in Paris. Although she never met the women who would marry her sons, both Meghan and Kate Middleton have honored Diana’s legacy through their fashion choices, frequently wearing pieces from her jewelry collection.
Meghan has owned the butterfly earrings for several years and has worn them on notable occasions. She first debuted the earrings during her and Harry’s tour of Australia in October 2018, shortly after the announcement of her first pregnancy. The earrings have since become a recurring accessory for Meghan, symbolizing her continued connection to Diana’s memory.
People have expressed admiration for Meghan Markle’s choice to wear Princess Diana’s butterfly earrings, seeing it as a tribute to the late Princess of Wales. Many have praised Meghan for thoughtfully honoring Diana’s legacy, particularly during significant moments like her recent visit to a school in Colombia. “Diana would love Meghan, caring for his son and standing with him,” said one Facebook user, while another added, “She is actually the perfect shadow of Princess Diana.”
During their tour in Colombia, Meghan Markle’s choice to wear these earrings once again highlights her ongoing effort to keep Princess Diana’s memory alive, especially through meaningful fashion statements that resonate with the public.
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