Weirdest Buildings in the U.S.

By Kelly Laffey (Subscribe to Kelly Laffey's posts)
Jul 30th 2009 9:44AM

Categories: Luxury Living, Famous Homes, Architecture

Admit it: You're a rubber-necker. I am too, although nothing annoys me more than sitting in traffic because the cars in front of me want a closer look at some roadside anomaly. But, just like everyone else, I'll slow to a crawl and take in the sight. As I accelerate towards my original destination, I tend to scoff at the display and focus on how late the traffic has made me. Some architecture, however, is definitely unique enough to warrant the increased travel time. Check out the below photo gallery for some one-of-a-kind buildings and start planning your cross country roadtrip!

Wacky US Buildings

World's Largest Basket
Newark, Ohio- This seven-story tribute to the gift basket is Longaberger Basket Company's corporate headquarters. The building is a replica of the company's Medium Market Basket- only 160 times larger. It's illuminated at night, too.

addicted Eyes, flickr

Beer Can House
Houston, Texas- For 18 years, John Milkovisch devoted his time to covering his home with flattened beer cans. He even added streamers made from can pull-tabs to the roof. Ripley's Believe It or Not estimates that the house incorporates over 50,000 cans. How's that for recycling?

J. Smallwood

Chapel of the Holy Cross
Sedona, Arizona- Completed in April, 1956 by Marguerite Bruswig Staude, The Chapel of the Holy Cross rises out of a 1,000 foot red rock wall. It almost seems to belong in the landscape and spiritual leaders and tourists alike flock to this unique religious destination.

phxpma, flickr

Dome of a Home
Pensacola, Florida- Designed to survive the worst of hurricanes, the Dome of a Home has a solid concrete construction with steel reinforcements The shape of the house allows water to wash over it as oppose to knocking it down. And, it seems to work- the dome home made it through 2004's Hurricane Ivan relatively unscathed while neighboring houses were washed away.

easement, flickr

The Big Duck
Flanders, New York- One of the few great examples of roadside architecture within driving distance of New York City is Long Island's own Big Duck. Built in 1931 by duck farmer Martin Maurer, the Big Duck was originally used to sell ducks to passing motorists. Now, it's used as a Long Island gift shop and tourist information center. That's Quack-tastic!

dougtone, flickr

Kansas City Public Library
Kansas City, Missouri- The Central Library branch of the Kansas City Public Library was opened its doors in 2004 and features state-of-the-art technology. The library is housed in the beautifully renovated century-old First National Bank building. Adjacent to the historical library is the parking garage, pictured above, which pays tribute to great literary works while adding whimsy to the urban area.

davidking, flickr

Kettle House
Galveston, Texas- Not much is known about this famed Texas strange spot. "Weird Texas" writers Heather Shade and Rob Roggs claim that it was built by someone "who used to built storage tanks for oil companies." No one lives here now, but the house is over 50 years old and survived Hurricane Ike. It's mysterious past fuels its intrigue.

skeggy, flickr

Neverwas Haul
Berkley, California- The Neverwas Haul was designed by The Academy of Unnatural Sciences in an attempt to reinvigorate America's traditional adventurous spirit. A Victorian mansion sits atop steam-powered wheels, representing an age where technology, imagination, and exploration reigned supreme.

drewdomkus, flickr

Pickle Barrel House
Grand Marais, Michigan- The Pickle Barrel House was built in 1926 for cartoonist William Donahey. Donahey's "Teenie-Weenies" were so small that they could live in every-day objects (like pickle jars!) The 16-foot structure was served as Donahey's vacation home to inspire his writings.

Kristina 5, flickr

Mammy's Cupboard
Natchez, Mississippi- Mammy's Cupboard was built in 1940 and features a restaurant inside the skirt! Newly restored, the restaurant is still open for business and as popular as ever. While the building itself is certainly unique, we hear that the desserts are simply scrumptious.

Live Simply, flickr

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