Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden & Toyland Museum Roadside Attraction

Friday was "road trip" day. A 3 1/2 hour road trip to Calvert City, Kentucky to visit Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden & Toyland Museum. Calvert City is just a few miles East of Paducah, Kentucky in Marshall County. A friend of mine opened a historical Roadside Attraction.  The attraction is as Keith describes "....... an eclectic art tribute to old by-gone tacky roadside attractions." The 1928 Gulf Gas Station, originally owned by his grandfather, has been turned into a museum. It was also used as a diner, barber shop, hang out for the young people in the area and of course, a store. It has the original counter and cash register as well as the teeny kitchen area and original oven and burner that food was prepared on.  I would guess the building is all of 10 x12! But, it has a history, that can be told  in living color in its entirety by Keith. 

Hillbilly Chariot

Redneck Treestand

Bottle Tree--when the bottles get ripe they fall off.

Hillbilly Workout

Tribute to Pink Floyd

         Toyland contains over 3000 toys and six running trains. In Toyland, many of the toys and figurines you remember from your childhood is there. I saw some of my favorites: Mighty Mouse, Bonanza, The Munsters, to name a few. Keith still has hundreds of items in storage yet to display. Enlarging the Toyland exhibit area is in the works. 

Hillbilly Re-tread

       Keith has a great sense of humor and finds "out of the box" ways of displaying his original perspective of what is common. For instance his tribute to the singing group The Doors; America's Got Talent Winner, Kevin Skinner; Hillbilly Drive-In and Hotel, Hillbilly Re-tread, etc. The displays are ever changing and evolving.
       Apple Valley is rich in local history as well. Keith is well versed in the historical flavor of and the activities that did and may have taken place at his grandfather's gas station and on the property. If you have the time, you MUST make this a stop as you are travelling through. I can't imagine your being disappointed. Here is a link, take a peek and then, take a road trip!
 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Apple-Valley-Hillbilly-Garden-and-Toyland-Museum-Roadside-attraction/160840380607635