6/27/2006:
On this date in 1999, the Pettibone Pagoda was destroyed forever in a fierce windstorm. The tower-like structure was the brainchild of Pettibone resident Henry Luehr. At a remarkable height of 82 feet, the building was a surprisingly graceful piece of folk art made of salvaged wood and found treasures. Each of the building’s eight stories were colorfully decorated and featured a different theme.
Members of Roadside America toured the building and described it on their website while it was still intact. According to the writer, the ground level was “decorated with Formica floor tiles hung diagonally, serving as frames for Barbie dolls, plastic fruit, and ceramic spoon rests. Also in abundance are yellowed newspaper clippings that mention Henry's name.
“Floor two, Henry’s ‘teen years’ display, boasts fifties-vintage 45s. . .in sets of four, framing stuffed animals, high-heeled shoes, and malted milk glasses,” the story continues. “On floor three, the ‘ladies’ level, Henry has painted flowers on the ceiling (from which hang bowling balls on eyehooks). The frames on the carpeted walls are actually steel tube TV-tray legs, folded flat.
“The fourth floor features air-spun plastic ‘hairball’ lamps, while upholstery sample books are arrayed on tables for casual browsing. The fifth floor is decorated with roller skates and teacups, as well as abstract original paintings by Henry signed, simply, ‘Me’.”
The writer goes on to say, “The sixth floor boasts cabalist designs on the walls and carpet remnants on the ceiling. The seventh floor is full of books. . . The eighth floor, the ‘attic’ of the Pagoda, was unfinished. Plastic lawn chairs beckoned weary climbers and several wind-up alarm clocks let you know what time it was. An open window provided access to an encircling balcony if you felt brave (but not brave enough to risk the final ladder).”
“From the top floor, steps led to a small, wood, saloon-door-hinged hatch in the ceiling that you had to butt open with your head. The cloth tape measure that Henry had run up the ladder since the first floor indicates 82 feet, so that you could appreciate just how high you were and what an impressive thing Henry had built. Climbing the ladder, balanced on one of the upper steps, you could thrust your head and shoulders through the hatch and into the outside air. You’d find yourself encircled in a curly wire bird cage—Henry's interpretation of a Moorish dome—at the top of the pagoda.”
Thankfully, Henry Luehr’s creation was still intact when he died, in 1995, at age 74. Although the 1999 storm destroyed his one-of-a-kind tower, another of Henry’s constructions—a giant, walk-in, Hereford bull—had since been moved to Buchanan by his son, Raymond. Raymond also had plans to rescue the pagoda before fate intervened.
The good news is that one can still tour the Pettibone Pagoda by logging onto Roadsideamerica.com*, where they feature a floor-by-floor interactive climb of the building.
Written by Merry Helm
* http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/NDPET99climb.html#eight
Source: Pettibone Pagoda destroyed in wind storm. Roadsideamerica.com: your online guide to offbeat tourist attractions. <http://www.roadsideamerica.com/index.html> 7-4-1999.