Lucama, North Carolina - Vollis Simpson's Whirligigs

Along with my wife and daughter-in-law, I took my first trip to Vollis Simpson's whirly-gig farm. We parked across the road from the place, and noticed a couple in a car across from us. Thinking they were just other sight-seers, I asked "Is this your first time here?" The lady answered "We own the property here." It was Vollis Simpson and his wife, Jean. They indicated that they had just come by to look over the property. Vollis had bandages on a number of his fingers, and said he was just recuperating from a bad burn on his back and chest, caused by molten metal falling down his back and being caught between his flannel shirt and his skin. The burns on his fingers came from trying to pull the metal away from his skin.

He and his wife were very friendly and polite, and Vollis invited us to come back in a few weeks when he would be back at work, and he would give us a tour around the site. Vollis is nearing 86 now. We didn't see any wrecked car there. We have lived in eastern North Carolina for 30 years, and  would have continued to remain unaware of the whirligig farm except for the Roadsideamerica.com listing and directions. [Jerry Jones, 01/03/2005]

I live in Lucama and it is quite ridiculous, the stories of "acid park," that you hear. First of all, the only daughter Mr. Simpson has lives right down the street from the whirligigs. He didn't have a daughter get killed 40 years ago. He is just a very talented man who likes to build interesting and constructive wind mills with his time. Sorry to ruin the story for everyone. [mandy, 12/19/2004]

I went last night and there is a car wrapped around the tree. [Vollis Simpson] only says there isn't because so many drunken teenagers come to see it and speak of his daughters spirit still roaming the area. Different teens throughout the years have done everything from urinating to smashing beer bottles on the car. It's disgusting to see how people have treated this site of the wreck. I only hope they never have to experience the loss of a child. [Robyn, 11/25/2004]

Went to Vollis Simpson's whirlygig farm again when my niece and nephew were in town. I figured it was one of the cooler places we could take them.

The place was just as awesome as ever. The sight of those giant towering whirlygigs never ceases to amaze me. Every time I've been there, Vollis has been at the front of his shop, working non-stop. He's happy to talk to you, but he doesn't ever interrupt his work. I went inside the shop for the first time, and jeez, it's filled with over a hundred smaller whirlygigs, all completely finished and painted. He just keeps making them, one right after the other. I definitely think Vollis has a touch of the Dementia Concretia. [Dean Jeffrey, 08/27/2001]

It was a bad photo day for us on the day we visited Vollis Simpson's whirligigs. The sun popped out long enough for one shot. Vollis Simpson's place is one of the coolest roadside attractions I've ever seen. Some of the whirligigs are easily 20 feet tall. [Dean Jeffrey, 03/18/2001]