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Elephant Graveyard? Not At Mister Ed’s

Mr. Ed's Elephant MuseumExactly seven months to the day after arson destroyed Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium in Orrtanna, Pennsylvania, a new Mister Ed’s has opened on the same spot.

“While the fire was still burning I said, ‘We’re gonna start rebuilding tomorrow,'” said elephant-lover Ed Gotwalt. “And I stuck to it.”

Remarkably, Ed and his family and friends salvaged some 8,000 elephants from his collection of 10,000 statues, toys, and other elephantabilia. Those that couldn’t be saved are still part of the new Mister Ed’s — their fragments reworked into a double-elephant mosaic on the wall above the cash register. “It’s dedicated to all the people who helped clean and replace elephants,” said Ed, who said he received donations of over a thousand pachyderms to help restock his collection.

Mr. Ed's Elephant MuseumA new, life-size African elephant statue named “Phoenix” stands near the front of the store under a 14-foot ceiling painted to look like the sky. Ed, still in awe, referred to his new place variously as “spectacular,” “gorgeous,” “amazing-looking,” and “wonderful.” Elephant footprints on the floor lead from the candy shop back to the museum, down a corridor lined with cases filled with Ed’s new acquisitions.

Ed said that his grandkids will take over the museum “when I kick off,” but he doesn’t plan to leave any time soon. “I think I’ve already outlived most elephants.”

Sections: Tourism News 1 Comment »

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Mister Ed's Elephant Museum

Address:
6019 Chambersburg Rd, Orrtanna, PA
Directions:
Rt. 30, 12 miles west of Gettysburg.
Hours:
Daily 9-7 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
717-352-3792
Admission:
Free
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One Response to “Elephant Graveyard? Not At Mister Ed’s”

  1. Momazilla Says:
    February 9th, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    Speaking of eccentric, another case in point. As are many of the attractions you feature. It’s what makes the world so interesting

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