Nathan Wakefield今年购买了密歇根州爱尔兰山区沿美国12号公路的Mystery Hill及其三英亩地产[1]。这个以"违反重力的房屋"著称的路边景点近年来经历了多次易主，前业主Dirk Dole在2022年购买该景点后，增加了奇异博物馆和宝石采矿体验等项目[1]。
Wakefield拥有15年专业杂技表演经验，包括表演躺在钉床、杂耍和吞火[1]。他计划继续运营重力屋旅游，同时将这一景点扩展为更广泛的家庭娱乐目的地，融入杂技表演等体验元素[1]。这一举措反映了他希望保护这一代际遗产、抵抗路边景点衰退趋势的决心[1]。爱尔兰山区曾拥有众多类似的路边景点，但许多已经关闭，包括1974年关闭的Frontier City和2007年关闭的Stagecoach Stop[1]。密歇根州旅游部副总裁Kelly Wolgamott表示该景点代表"独特而怀旧的体验"[1]。
Nathan Wakefield has purchased Mystery Hill, a three-acre roadside attraction in Michigan's Irish Hills region, this year to preserve the historic property and expand its appeal [1]. The site is renowned for its gravity-defying "house of unbalance," an optical illusion structure that creates the sensation of defying the laws of physics [1]. Wakefield, who brings 15 years of professional circus performance experience including bed-of-nails demonstrations, juggling, and fire-eating, plans to continue operating gravity house tours while transforming the destination into a broader family entertainment venue featuring acrobatic performances [1].
The acquisition marks a reversal of fortune for roadside attractions in the region, which has seen numerous closures over the decades [1]. The Irish Hills area was once dotted with such destinations, including Frontier City, which shuttered in 1974, and Stagecoach Stop, which closed in 2007 [1]. The previous owner, Dirk Dole, had purchased Mystery Hill in 2022 and added a curiosities museum and gem mining experience to the property [1]. Michigan's tourism department views the attraction as representing "a unique and nostalgic experience," according to Kelly Wolgamott, vice president of the state's tourism division [1].