SHARPE – On October 24th, Keith Holt of Sharpe was surprised to get a certificate from National Geographic and the Mississippi River Connections Collaborative stating, “The Mississippi River Geotourism Program Recognizes, Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland. They have been recognized “For their valuable contribution to the MRG Program, and their support in sustaining and enhancing the unique geographic character of the region through their commitment to aesthetic, culture, environment, heritage, and the wellbeing of the regions’ residents.”
Holt said a team from National Geographic was on hand at Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland June 6th, 2015, archiving the attraction.
According to Holt, his Grandpa Oral Wallace on November 6, 1928 bought an apple orchard with a two room house on six acres of land. He started making apple cider and selling it at his new produce stand called “Shady Nock”. Then he built an under-ground still hidden in the barn and opened up an auto camp with a small zoo. He was a musician, so he performed for the guests.
In 1931, after hearing HWY 68 was going to be paved, the house was added on to so there would be a room to rent. Holt said family folk lore has Bonnie and Clyde staying in the “Apple Valley’s” room in 1932. Clyde left a shotgun behind now on display in store museum. The wood that was left over from the house was used to build a small 14′ x 14′ country store called Apple Valley.
In this small space they had a small chair where Oral would cut hair and a four seat diner where they served chicken dinners. On March 24, 1939 Gulf gas was added but the store/gas station closed down when Oral died February 28, 1964. Grandma Myrtle Wallace went back to selling items on the produce stand until 1988.
In 2005, after spending 20 years in Hollywood as a SAG/AFTRA actor, standup comic, puppeteer and circus clown, Holt came back to the property with a dream to build a large operating fantasy “Toyland” so visitors could have fun remembering their childhoods.
“I came back to town to claim my grandparents old homestead with two truck loads of toys and a dream, with my Hollywood backers before I hit the wall”, Holt said. “I came back only to create a Toyland and restore the old Gulf gas station, not a folk art environment. But, the powers that would be had different plans for me, so Hill Billy Art was born.”
“Out of my broken dreams an unusual off-beat historic folk art roadside attraction came about as a statement to the man, “Hillbilly Garden”. For the past ten years we have been bringing folks (some famous like Redford and Prince) to the area from all over the world.”
Holt said the actor Robert Redford stopped this past summer on a cross-country trip with a friend as did the artist known as Prince who he said was an unusual tour.
“I was working on an art piece and noticed a stretch car backing into our neighbor’s driveway”, Holt said. “The driver crossed the highway and said his boss wanted to take a tour but did not want to be recognized.” Holt said he gave the driver a tour and he filmed it with his phone camera while Prince watched the tour on a screen while staying in the car.
“When they left, the driver went east on 68”, Holt said. “As they passed where I was standing, the car stops, back window rolls down. Prince gave me a peace sign and rock on sign as he said, “awesome place”.
Holt said there have been many celebrities that have stopped for a tour over the past 10 years.
Click on links below for more on Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/21754
http://www.applevalleyhillbillygardenandtoyland.com/Home_Page.php
