Lost Riverboat in Shartlesville, Pennsylvania

Marooned not too far from the wondrous attraction known as Roadside America lies an old riverboat looking oddly out of place. The dilapidated boat lies detached in an open field, far from the days of entertaining guests off the coast of New York and New Jersey. Originally the riverboat was built in Minnesota and was named the "Suwannee Belle." The riverboat spent slightly more then a decade elating tourists from all over the world. It was eventually decommissioned in 1991. After a failed attempt as a restaurant the "Suwannee Belle" sat in a New Jersey storage unit until 2003. At this point the riverboat was purchased and was finding a new home in rural Shartlesville, Pennsylvania. The original owner had planned to use the riverboat as a tiki bar, unfortunately his dreams never came to fruition. Since then it has sat in this remote field never fully living up to the potential it seemingly had just a few short years ago. The new owners of the nearby restaurant continue to pay homage to the lost riverboat, having named their venture the Riverboat Saloon.

Haunted Town of New Hope, Pennsylvania

The small town of New Hope, Pennsylvania in Bucks county is rich in history, which in return leads to ghost tales. The fact is the town is thought to be the most haunted in America. Numerous ghost sightings have been spotted around town. Perhaps they're attributed to a young man who was killed while hitch-hiking. His spirit has been seen late at night wandering the streets still looking for a ride.

There's even tales of one of the towns most famous artist still roaming around near his home on Mechanic street. He's also been spotted along the canal towpath. Though there's an even more famous ghost thought to haunt this area. Aaron Burr, the one time Vice- President, who was indicted on murder charges. He hid out in the town of New Hope shortly after his infamous duel with Alexander Hamilton. His spirit has been seen along the side streets and several taverns in the area.

Men aren't the only ones haunting this small town. The Inn at Phillips Mill has had reports of seeing a woman dressed in Victorian garb roaming the stairways and hallways. And at the now closed Odette's restaurant there are tales of a woman who was murdered here. Throughout the restaurant there were unexplainable cold spots and ghostly voices heard, and even the aroma of perfume constantly permeating around. Leaving few to wander if there's any doubt that this town is one of the most haunted in America.

Roadside GIANTS: Bedford Coffee Pot

While most towns seem to shy away from the odd, the county of Bedford in Pennsylvania seems to embrace it. Driving along the Lincoln highway through the many small towns you'll encounter it first hand. From roadside giants to gravity defying roads, you'll find it in this rural, peaceful area.

In 1927, David Koontz built a two story roadside lunch stand unlike any other. Hoping to attract weary roadside drivers in need of a perk, he designed an 18 feet high and 24 feet in diameter giant coffee pot. Just ten short years later the place would be delegated to a dive bar. With the arrival of the Pennsylvania turnpike in the 1940's, so came the demise of the coffee pot. By 2003 the coffee pot had become so run down the county of Bedford bought it for $1.oo. After lots of TLC, the coffee pot was back in shape and relocated across the street where it now serves as a visitor's center.

Berks County,Pennsylvania

Volume 4 of Outta the Way is now available! We feature Berks County.

The intro:

This month will stir up the supernatural on a covered bridge, visit a miniature village, see the view that inspired it, get a taste of Japanese culture and learn how a Dreamland became a nightmare. So prepare to get outta the way, we're going outta the way!

Contact us or go to Kim's Etsy Store to get your copy!

Roadside America Shartlesville, Pennsylvania

Roadside America is one child's fascination taken to an extreme.

The airplane hangar-size building is filled with numerous trains, buildings, houses and miniature villages. Most of these piece have been hand carved from wood.

Walking inside Roadside America is quite astonishing: there's not really words to describe the feeling you get upon entering. It leaves you speechless.

The place definitely has a homey feeling and makes you feel like you're in the simpler times of Ozzie and Harriet.

For more information and more quirky "outta the way" places, be sure to check out the Outta the Way zine! (Vol. 4 is available today! Contact us to reserve a copy.)

Roadside America's Parking Lot Vol 4

A few imposing individuals protect the parking lot of Roadside America in Shartlesville, PA: A pair of Amish folk who look like they're right out of American Gothic. The Amish man's enormous hands look like he's ready to scoop you up as a snack.

The stranger thing is that these Amish giants are greeting you to a miniature village.

Also in the parking lot is an odd looking varmint-type animal looking to scavenge any leftovers the giant Amish couple may leave behind. It's hard to tell what's odder, these statues in the parking lot, or what lies inside Roadside America itself.

Check out next week's blog when we will show you what's inside of Roadside America.