Palace of Depression facts for kids
The Palace of Depression was a very unusual building in Vineland, New Jersey. It was built by a man named George Daynor. He used to be a gold miner in Alaska. George lost all his money during the Wall Street Crash of 1929, a time when many people lost their jobs and savings. He built the Palace of Depression to show that you could still be strong and creative even during tough times like the Great Depression. People called it "The Strangest House in the World" or the "Home of Junk" because it was made from recycled materials.
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The Story of the Palace
How It All Began
George Daynor said that an angel helped him find the land in New Jersey. This angel also gave him the ideas for the palace's design. The Palace of Depression was finished on Christmas Day in 1932. It was built on about 4 acres of land. George only paid four dollars for the land! He believed his palace was "the greatest piece of originality" ever made. He would charge visitors 25 cents to take a tour.
George Daynor loved attention. He even claimed to be "the most photographed man in the world." In 1956, he got into trouble. He told the FBI that some people they were looking for had visited his palace. This was not true. Because of this false report, George was sent to prison for one year.
What Happened Next
George Daynor passed away in 1964. He was said to be 104 years old. After he died, a fire sadly destroyed the Palace of Depression. The city of Vineland then tore down what was left of it in 1969.
Rebuilding the Palace
Good news! A project to rebuild the Palace of Depression started in 2001. The city wanted to bring this unique place back to life. Local companies and people were asked to help. They offered materials and their time.
Kevin Kirchner began this effort in 1998. He has been leading the rebuilding project ever since. It took about three years just to get permission and clear the land. The actual building work started in 2001. By 2017, much of the main Palace building was rebuilt. A new Historical Center and Museum was also built nearby. The project hopes to open regularly to the public soon. For now, you can sometimes take tours of the Palace.
The Palace in Pop Culture
The Palace of Depression has appeared in movies and music.
- In 1938, George Daynor made a film about his park. It was called The Fantastic Palace.
- The 1983 movie Eddie and the Cruisers mentions the Palace Depression.
- A rock band from Trenton, New Jersey called the Cryptkeeper Five named their 2006 album Rise of the Palace Depression.
