The House on the Rock was designed as a tourist attraction by Alex Jordan and was first opened to the public in 1959. Built atop a column of rock close to the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s estate, rumor has it that Alex Jordan began to build the House on the Rock after Wright said he wouldn’t hire Jordan to design a “chicken coop” for him.
“House” is bit of a misnomer because the attraction is more of a complex. Each room is distinct and houses various collections. Visitors are led along a set path and encounter rooms filled with toys, automated musical instruments, and the “world’s largest indoor carousel.” There’s a Wildlife Room, an Oriental Art Room, and an Organ Room.
The “Infinity Room” opened in 1985. This room juts out from the rock the rest of the building sits upon into open air over 200ft above ground.
Hard to believe such a strange complex exists in Wisconsin of all places but if given the opportunity it seems to be a place necessary to experience, even if just for the stories.
