MYSTERIOUS AMERICA

While in Austin for last year’s MotoGP races I made time to explore some of the odder things in the city. Austin is an odd town – you would think that with their favorite saying being “Keep Austin Weird!” So, when I am in the region, I try to seek out something a little different and Austin never fails to provide. Let me tell you about the Cathedral of Junk. Junk? Whoa – not that junk, I mean ‘junk’ junk. You see… what one person will discard another person sees potential. Vince Hannemann is such a person. Let’s not let the word “Junk” throw us off either – as we really should dwell on the Cathedral part of this month’s Mysterious America. A cathedral nestled serenely in Hannemann’s back yard. It was back in 1988 that a then 20-something Vince began this living and ever-expanding Cathedral. He has never stopped building and now has well over 60 tons of, well junk. “People ask me all the time, ‘What made you want to do this?’ Like it had some sort of profound meaning. I just did it because I liked it. And when I stop liking it, I’ll take it down.”

The large framework of the building is seriously anchored by both Vince and Mother Nature’s Texas vegetation. Completely surrounding both inside and out are all manners of items odds and ends. I spotted motorcycle parts right away along with lawnmower wheels, car bumpers, kitchen utensils, ladders, cables, bottles, circuit boards, bicycle parts, brick-a-brack, and much more. Illuminated beer signs, clocks, and other electric doo-dads still operate, powered by unseen cables and outlets hidden within the shadowy silvery-green. Walking inside and through the Cathedral’s tiny alcoves and rooms you will discover all sorts of mementos and, I am sure, pieces of your past as well. I loved it all, well I did cringe at the smashed and battered old Fender Frontman 15B Ampli er. The Cathedral is, in fact, assembled mostly from stuff that people bring to Vince, which makes charting its overall growth somewhat problematic. “You can’t tell people what to bring,” Vince notes. But he

is fussy and, he admits, “my tastes change. Lots of things don’t t in.” It seems that while some of his neighbors like the weirdness of it all, others do not and the city has had engineers come time and again – yet still the Cathedral stands. Austin has used it to market the city. Those that love Hannemann’s creation embrace it fully. Over the years the Cathedral has hosted weddings, CD debut parties, bachelor parties, and is a popular destination for tour groups of school kids and senior citizens. “Some people recognize junk that they used to have. Women, mostly,” Vince tells us. “A few people get overwhelmed and have to leave. Sometimes people get weird. Some people cry. Women again. They just get overcome or something, I dunno.” Vince has asked that you call ahead to make an appointment (512-299-7413). I called about 9:30 on the morning of the day when I hoped to visit. Vince picked up quickly and was very friendly as he invited me to come at 11 AM that same day. He informed me of the requested $10/group donation and gave me instructions about parking — the Cathedral is located in a quiet residential neighborhood just south of Hwy 290 off S. 1st Street; there is street parking only, and you must take care not to block off neighbors’ mailboxes or driveways. On busy days, it’s best to park around the corner, on St. Elmo. Vince is constantly adding to his cathedral and while in Austin, make time to check out this wonderful creation, that seems to celebrate art, history, and creativity (of the original designer of each piece of junk and Vince’s revisioning), and will certainly remind you a bit about your own past and perhaps bring back some fond memories. When you do, you will see why The Cathedral of Junk should be embraced, celebrated, and enjoyed; and why it is certainly part of Mysterious America. ~ O’Life Out!