Roadside Dreams and Reality: The Unbelievable Story of Mark Cline

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Have you ever had a dream so vivid, so out there, that it seemed impossible? Well, Mark Cline didn't just dream; he built. From a young age, he was crafting, creating, and captivating those around him in Waynesboro, Virginia. Who knew that a snowman contest winner at 7, portraying the Statue of Liberty, would grow up to be the mastermind behind some of the most wonderfully weird roadside attractions in the US?

Mark Cline's story is anything but ordinary. Picture this: a kid who made the local paper in 1968 for a creative snowman, and who later created "Adventures With George" in sixth grade. He even played Superboy in backyard films. It wasn't just a hobby; it was a sign of things to come. At 12, a visit to Dinosaur Land in White Post, Virginia, sealed his destiny. He told his dad he'd create something just as amazing one day. And boy, did he deliver!

Post-high school, Cline was a bit of a nomad, traveling the country by river and motorcycle. He supported himself by snapping photos of tourists posing with his two-headed biker sculpture. Eventually, he returned to Waynesboro, trying to find a place for his creativity. He even pitched a Mad Anthony Wayne sculpture to the city, but got nowhere.

In 1982, he landed in Natural Bridge, Virginia, and opened the Monster Museum on Route 11. It was filled with his "ghoulish creations," but things were tough. By 1984, financial troubles were dragging him down. But then, an epiphany struck him. He wasn't just making monsters; he wanted to make people happy.

So, in 1985, he transformed the Monster Museum into the Enchanted Castle. Imagine sitting on a 10-foot tick, getting "zapped to Venus," or watching a pig bungee jump! He even opened his workshop for visitors to see his creations come to life. Soon, he was getting commissions for mini-golf courses, haunted houses, and even big names like Six Flags and Jellystone Park. And yes, he did eventually get to create dinosaurs for Dinosaur Land, the place that inspired it all.

Life wasn't always smooth sailing. In 1997, a mock séance with a baseball team put him on the radar of some very critical groups. They labeled his museum "the work of Satan," and on April 9, 2001, the Enchanted Castle burned down. A disturbing letter arrived, saying, "Fire represents God's judgment." But Cline wasn't done yet.

Natural Bridge gave him an abandoned mansion to rebuild, and the Haunted Monster Museum reopened months later. It was even more bizarre and wonderful, with skeletons of the Marx Brothers and a 15-foot Frankenchicken. Dinosaur Kingdom followed, with prehistoric creatures fighting Civil War soldiers, and then Foamhenge, a life-size Stonehenge replica, in 2004.

More challenges came in 2012 when the ground gave way, taking many dinosaurs with it. The Haunted Monster Museum burned down again! But Mark Cline? He's still going. He hosts ghost tours in Lexington and runs Dinosaur Kingdom II, which opened in 2016. His story is a wild ride of creativity, resilience and a desire to make people smile.

What do you think of Mark Cline's journey? Have you visited any of his creations? Share your thoughts below! And if you've enjoyed this story, perhaps you might consider supporting the ongoing efforts to keep these unique attractions alive and kicking. Even a small gesture can help these imaginative worlds continue to thrive and delight visitors for years to come.


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