Alum Bank, Pennsylvania: Little Village

The church is now done and the owner is working on a school house! He said he isn't always there and sometimes puts out a no trespassing sign, but definitely worth the attempt. The owner was so nice and even gave us some props to take photos with!

This little village is a work in progress. The owner/builder started out with a small gas station, old gas pumps, and, in nice weather, an old, restored car and a gas station attendant mannequin. Driving past it was always a pleasure, just to see what he had added that day. A couple months ago he added a diner. It's wonderful! Really looks like a silver railroad car diner! Then, last month, he added a church! (The steeple isn't on yet, but it will be soon!)

I took a photographer friend to see the village and while he was taking pictures, the owner came out and asked if we'd like to see inside the buildings. I never imagined there was anything inside them, I just thought they were shells. But, boy, was I wrong! Each building is set up exactly as what it is. The church has an altar and pews, even Bibles and programs. The gas station is just what you would have seen in a gas station in the 1940s or '50s, and the diner looks so much like a real diner (down to food on plates on the counter!) you want to hop up on a stool and place an order.

The whole thing is just amazing and the people who own it couldn't be any nicer! Stop and have a look.