Not many people will have heard of a town called White, Georgia, USA. It is located about 75 km North West of Atlanta and back in 2010 had a population of 670 residents. However, the town’s popularity could soon grow following the revelation that in 32 acres of a nearby forest are several thousand run-down classic vehicles including cars, buses, trucks and camper vans. A gentleman by the name of Walter Dean Lewis runs this scenic, atmospheric car junkyard museum known as Old Car City.
Going back to 1931, Mr Lewis’s parents set up a general store in the locality that also sold parts for vehicles. By 1970, the collection of cars and trucks had risen to around 40. The number of vehicles progressively increased over the years as Mr Lewis saved them from being crushed to what is now estimated to be a collection of over 4,000 that look rather worse for wear.
However, Mr Lewis came upon the idea about six years ago that rather than sell car parts he could create a museum in the forest and charge people to come and look around the vehicles. He charges $15 but if anyone wishes to take photographs which most seem to want to do he charges $25.
Visitors can end up walking about six miles along the trails in the forest to view and photograph the cars so it is possibly one of the biggest museums in the world.
There is an extensive array of makes and models of vehicles to see that were built between 1918 to 1972. A lot of the vehicles have remained in the same spot in the forest for 30 years or more. In fact, some have trees growing through their bodywork with some cars being lifted into the air.
Mr Lewis has had visitors from all over the world including Russia, Sweden and Australia. There is no doubt that the sight of thousands of dilapidated classic cars in a forest with branches growing through some of them must look rather surreal.
So, if you are planning a trip to that part of the USA, have an interest in American classic cars then why not pay Old Car City a visit and don’t forget to take your camera!
You must be logged in to post a comment.