More Texas Craziness – Castles of Junk

Wild animals sticking their heads inside your rental car isn’t the only odd part about Texas. Take a look at this three-story Cathedral of Junk we visited in the the suburbs of Austin. It’s part La Sagrada Familia, part ornate, suburban playground (the wooden kind that came into vogue in Ohio circa 1992).

The view from behind a bike wheel

The oddest part of the cathedral, isn’t the actual structure. It’s the act of parking in a normal suburban subdivision street and walking right into someone’s backyard — only to find a towering junk pile there. When we visited, the owner and he dog, were standing right in the driveway chatting to some neighbors. Kids were chasing each other around the pile. I felt like I was part of some subversive flash mob of weirdness. 

Although, in these photographs, the cathedral just looks like a giant heap of trash. It’s really an ornate construction with towers and spiral staircases. You can climb up to the third floor and peer out the bicycle-spoke window. Don’t worry. It’s sturdy and has been tested by city engineers. 

According to this site, the owner, Vince, has been working on the pile since 1988. The Cathedral has hosted weddings, CD debut parties, bachelor parties, and is a popular destination for tour groups of schoolkids and senior citizens.

Cathedral of Junk

Address: 4422 Lareina Drive, Austin, TX

Directions:

On the south side of town. US 81/290 to the Hwy 71 (Ben White Blvd E.) exit. Hwy 71 west to the Congress Ave. exit. Head south a couple of blocks, turn right on St. Elmo Rd W., then take the second left onto Lareina.

Admission: Free, donations accepted.

Hours: Tu-Su 9-6 pm . (Call to verify)

Phone: 512-299-7413

In case you forgot where you were

Junk is all around ... even in the sky

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