UNUSUAL HOMES:

The two biggest sections of this webpage are the abandoned places section and this one. I have a real interest in both. I'm always curious about these unusual homes that seem to be everywhere. Who built it and why? And who lives there now? What are the people like? Are they completely oddballs or are they normal like you and me? Although every homeowner is different, one thing is the same in almost every case: every homeowner is unique, sometimes more so then their house!

the pumpkin house

This house, built in 1925, looks like any other 80 year old home. So what's so special about it? It was built entirely be a blind man who knew nothing about carpentry and who had no money... Read more

In 1934 the FHA first began helping people to buy homes. The first house they ever helped someone to buy was located at Hooper & Union in Pequannock. In 1994 officials from the FHA stopped by to commemorate the milestone and put a plaque on the house. Read more

This house has tons of bird feeders, but not as many when I went as there were when it was shown in WNJ. I imagine it must be insane when there's a lot of birds flicking in. Must spend a lot on bird seed I imagine. Read more

This house is decorated with squirrels and has a sign that says squirrel crossing. If that ain't weird I dunno what is. Plus he's got unusual signs in his backyard too, and has been known to display a nun crossing sign as well.... Read more

This used to be the Bowling Ball house till a nosy neighbor took him to court. He lost and was forced to get rid of all his bowling balls and bowling pins. He decided to collect rocking horses and that's just fine with the town. Read more

Originally conceived as a way to keep the kids off her lawn, this public art consists of hundreds of milk jugs arranged in various artistic ways. Well worth a trip. Read more

Untermeyer Castle suffered a massive fire 40 years ago and its ruins lay undisturbed until mcmansions began popping up all around it. It appeared heading for the wrecking ball until a local man decided it worth rebuilding. Read more

Jamil is a Muslim from NY who decided he wanted his own little shrine to worship in, so he bought some land in the Meadowlands and set about to create a place where he and his family could get away on the weekends. To the Meadowlands???? Read more

The castle was shipped to the US by Frederick Kip, and eventually was sold to an Indian sex cult in the early 80's. Ever since the cult was disbanded, the castle has belonged to a law firm, but now they are selling it, and we may be looking at townhouses instead.... Read more

The IF house is so named because it is shaped like the letters IF. Fairly straight forward, and not exactly a lot to see, but it will definitely elicit an "oh cool!" as you drive by. A reader recently gave me some background on the place. Read more

Rudy bramm is an artist who displays his pieces thruout his house, both inside and out. Read more

John Ringling purchased this property over 100 years ago, much to the chagrin of the locals. Eventually he moved, and the property was listed on the historic register. It now functions as a friary for the St Stanislas Monks. Read more

An octagonal shaped house sits in Montvale, dispensing limousines for weddings. Read more

This yard has numerous odd elements in its front yard including a seascape, some real angry flowers and some odd pillars.... Read more

This house is a outward dedication to the beliefs of its owner. On the outer walls are murals reflecting the ethics of communism. The entire area was once a Russian commune, and although it doesn't exist as such, many of streets still bear the name of communist ideals. Read more

Insulator glass was used by the telegraph industry to conduct the electricity on the poles that we see alongside railroad lines. The telegraph is of course, a dead form of communication, but thousands of poles remain, and the glass can be quite valuable to collectors. One man publicly displays his collection for all to see. Read more

This house has the distinction of being not just a round house, but a round house on stilts! Read more

This house sure is rocking! Why the Whiteboro Historical Society has dancing mannequins in its second floor window is a mystery to me... Read more

The Cookie Jar House of Glendorra Read more

The Odd House of Hoboken. What's so strange? Well its darn unique for Hoboken, that's for sure Read more

This house has something seriously wrong with it's brickwork Read more

The Castle Dellawanna is aptly named because it's on Dellawanna Ave, and looks like a castle. It's very a unique home on an otherwise normal street. I wonder if you can get up in the turret/tower area? Read more

This is the world's smallest house. Okay, NJ's smallest house. Possible built as a house for a railroad crossing guard, this house actually has four rooms. Read more

This house has got to be the skinniest house ever. I didn't measure but it looks to be no more then 10 feet wide. Read more

Built in the 60's as a form of transportable home, the Future Home was built out of lightweight plastic & could sleep 8. It is shaped like a flying saucer & has a drop down entryway. There were less then 60 built, so seeing one is a rare treat. Read more

The Boiardo house has some ornate pillars flanking the driveway, and is home to one of NJ's most famous mobsters Read more

The James Rose house is very impressive because it looks like something out of the South Seas. It has elevated walkways, thatch walls and a Polynesian look to it. Read more

This house struck me as really odd because of the addition they built. A little creek runs close to the house, right where they wanted to add on, so they just built it right over the creek. I wonder what will happen if another hurricane Floyd hits? Read more

This house features some sorta Easter Island head statue on their front lawn Read more

Luna Parc is the home of jewelry creator and artist Ricky Boscarino. Luna Parc is only open to the public twice a year and by invitation only. It is as beautiful a house as any I've ever seen, and I definitely would kill for his bathroom....Read more