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SIDELINES //

Keeping Austin Weird: The Cathedral of Junk

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Austin’s Cathedral of Junk

The motto of Austin, Texas is ‘Keep Austin Weird.

Part of Austin’s inspiration is the ‘Cathedral of Junk.’ Sequestered along a quaint surburban street, a whimsical side project which began in 1988 has blossomed into a gargantuan mass of circuit boards, lawnmower parts, forks and knives, car bumpers – everything, most likely including at least one kitchen sink. It contains an estimated seven hundred bicycles.

Vince Hannemann did it because he could. He has no great purpose, and no particular artistic vision. He builds it because he likes it, although the materials often come from donations. Mr. Hannemann himself is perfectly willing to show you around, although he has a day job. He often answers questions from the comfort of his ‘Throne Room.’

City engineers see no reason to tear it down (except for the ‘Pyramid of TVs,’ which they said was more of a pile). At the behest of neighbors, they occasionally stop by to poke and prod the nearly sixty tons of welded metal and scrap. They can find no weak spots.

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This article was reprinted with permission of Cool Things In Random Places - a little refreshing randomness from around the globe.

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About the Author


Vagabondish editor, Mike Richard, lives in Rhode Island - a spit of land in the northeastern U.S. He is a professional web designer and travel junkie with an unhealthy addiction to backpacking, camping, hiking and seeing the world. He enjoys knit hats, small, declarative sentences and speaking in the third person.

Share Your Thoughts

Rene
January 28th, 2008

OOooh, thanks. We’re headed to Austin in a week. Can’t wait to see it.

Matt
January 29th, 2008

That’s my home town! I love it so much!

Alex
July 21st, 2009

Great post, very informative. My friends and I were just there, it truly is a hidden jewel of Austin.

Han
November 9th, 2010

WOW, its awesome
That junk cathedral makes me feel inspiration.





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