Tag: Angleton (TX)

The Angleton Ant Farm House: A Texas Mod Building in Ruins

Before finding out about the 24 Hours of LeMons in Angleton, TX, this small community south of Houston was on my radar for a completely different reason. Artist Paul Villinski brought not only his Emergency Response Trailer to Rice Art Gallery, but a collection of books from his personal library. Most revolved around homes, personal structures, architecture on a small scale. One book in particular struck a chord, at first because it annoyed me so much. Tiny, cramped text, a mishmash of building techniques through history and places, all manner and quality of photography, looking like a book from 1973 would look. Like most things that bother, it got under my skin and as I kept rereading I really grew to like it. A lot. And as I was reading about one home, I realized it was not too far from Houston.


HOC.ext, originally uploaded by edsel2007.

It was called “The House of the Century,” but 26 years have been unkind to the unique building. Built by Ant Farm, the architecture collective originated many of their creations in Texas, including this one and the well-known Cadillac Ranch.  Undated photos from NarrowLarry’s visit to the house show it’s now flood-damaged conditions.

Architect, Ant Farm collaberator and University of Houston grad Richard Jost narrates the following YouTube videos, detailing the history of the building and his involvement with it, all with extensive photos. 

“House of the Century Construction” (1972)- Part 1

“House of the Century Construction” (1972)- Part 2

“House of the Century Construction” (1972)- Part 3

“House of the Century Construction” (1972)- Part 4

“The Mojo Relic” – video of the House of the Century ruins.
With music and Aztek temples in begining.

Hoonage Outside of Houston: 24 Hours of LeMons

Urban Dictionary entry on hoonage –

“Aggressively flogging a car, but in a manner that stops just short of reckless.”  Other definitions exclude the just-short-of-reckless part.  This post is for fans of just this kind of behavior!

While reading the car blog Jalopnik many months ago, I read of a race in Texas.  It had taken place that weekend and from the description I became bummed to have missed it.  Not just any race, but one of epic, joyous madness.  One that combined questionable judgment, some frugalness and the unadulterated love of speed.  From the 24 Hours of LeMons website…

“Each LeMons race is for cars purchased, fixed up, and track-prepped for a total of 500 dollars or less. But before reaching the grid, you’ll have to survive trials like the Personal-Injury-Lawyer Anti-Slalom, the Marxist-Valet Parking Challenge, and the Wide Open Throttle Rodthrowapalooza. Twelve hours into the race, the car voted People’s Choice is called in and awarded a cash prize; simultaneously, the car voted People’s Curse is called in and summarily destroyed. At the end of 24 hours, a gala awards ceremony plies the survivors with trophies, plaques, and four-figure purses in canvas bags full of nickels. What’s not to like?”

But now the 24 Hours of LeMons has returned again to Texasland.  The Houston Gator-O-Rama is one many this year, and the first of two races in the Houston area. All of this takes place at the Mercedes-Benz of Sugarland Road Course in lovely Angleton, TX.  The location link at the bottom of this post will show the track on Google Maps.

For those lucky souls going, take lots of picture and enjoy the fumes.  I have been told that this is not the way my wife plans on spending her birthday weekend.  So, I will just have to wait until October 24 & 25, when all this foolishness makes its way back to the Lone Star state once again.