Palace of Depression
Encyclopedia
The Palace of Depression was a building made of junk that was located in Vineland, New Jersey
. Built by the eccentric and mustachioed George Daynor, a former Alaska gold miner who lost his fortune in the Wall Street Crash of 1929
. This amusement was known as "The Strangest House in the World" and the "Home of Junk" and was built as a testament of willpower against the effects of The Great Depression.
Daynor was a publicity hog and claimed to be "the most photographed man in the world." After a baby was kidnapped in the 1950s, Daynor called the FBI and falsely reported that the kidnappers had visited the palace. The FBI followed the false claim and Daynor was imprisoned for a year.
Vineland, New Jersey
Vineland is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 60,724...
. Built by the eccentric and mustachioed George Daynor, a former Alaska gold miner who lost his fortune in the Wall Street Crash of 1929
Wall Street Crash of 1929
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 , also known as the Great Crash, and the Stock Market Crash of 1929, was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States, taking into consideration the full extent and duration of its fallout...
. This amusement was known as "The Strangest House in the World" and the "Home of Junk" and was built as a testament of willpower against the effects of The Great Depression.
Beginnings
George Daynor claims that he was guided to New Jersey by an angel, who provided the design for the palace. Completed on Christmas Day 1932, the palace was built on 7 acres (28,328 m²) which cost him seven dollars. Daynor quotes that his palace was "the greatest piece of originality ever brought about in the history of Man.". He would charge 25 cents for a tour.Daynor was a publicity hog and claimed to be "the most photographed man in the world." After a baby was kidnapped in the 1950s, Daynor called the FBI and falsely reported that the kidnappers had visited the palace. The FBI followed the false claim and Daynor was imprisoned for a year.
Decline
Daynor died a pauper in 1964 at a reported 104 years old. After Daynor's death, a fire destroyed the Palace of Depression and Vineland razed it in 1969.Restoration
A city restoration project to rebuild the Palace of Depression is in progress. Local companies and individuals are encouraged to volunteer materials and labor. Kevin Kirchner has been leading the restoration effort.In Pop Culture
- In 1938 George Daynor made a film about his park entitled The Fantastic Palace
- The 1983 film Eddie and the CruisersEddie and the CruisersEddie and the Cruisers is a 1983 American film directed by Martin Davidson with the screenplay written by the director and Arlene Davidson, based on the novel by P. F. Kluge...
, references the Palace of Depression.