Would you follow this driveway into the woods? I did. And what an adventure.
“I’M A LITTLE SCARED,” I admitted as we turned off Pillsbury Avenue just south of Lakeville, Minnesota, onto a narrow, hard-packed gravel road. Thick dark woods crept to the edge of the driveway and my imagination ran wild with fairy tales that ended badly.
What lurked in those woods? I glanced toward my husband, who was guiding our van into the unknown. “I hope there’s not a big dog.” I imagined a ferocious canine, teeth bared, legs planted in a defensive stance.
A dog-themed sign, one of many signs on the property. And, no, spelling is apparently not a priority here.
There were no guard dogs—unless you count the little dog interested only in pursuing a baby bunny and not humans. There were no bad endings.
But I wanted to warn you, lest you initially think like me and consider backing out even before you enter the wonderment which is Hot Sam’s Antiques.
Junk cars line the driveway, left. And, yes, that’s a Statue of Liberty standing in that red junk car in the background.
This place is part junkyard, sculpture garden and antique shop.
If you like your picking places all nice and neat and tidy, then this may not be your shopping venue.
Under construction in the woods, an over-sized motorcycle sculpture currently lashed to a tree limb among the junk.
But if you are adventuresome, don’t mind scuttling around junk (aka art/fabulous finds/treasures), have lots of time to meander and appreciate a one-of-a-kind place bursting with creativity, then, welcome to Hot Sam’s Antiques.
FYI: Click here to read my first post introducing you to Hot Sam’s Antiques. I have so much to show you that I will be writing a third post.
Along the driveway, you’ll see this fence decorated with an eclectic collection of stuff.
Just more abandoned vintage cars along the side of the driveway.
One of two planes on the property; the other one’s nosedived into the swampland. Yup, that’s a train in the background, behind the gigantic sunflower and to the left.
Following its theme park theme, Hot Sam’s pays tribute to the 1960s television sitcom, “Petticoat Junction,” via several on-site train cars (including this caboose) and a water tank. You’ll find antiques and collectibles inside the boxcars.
Anyone who knows me and how much I fear chickens will appreciate that I actually photographed these fowl roaming at Hot Sam’s.
This log cabin is simply bursting with antiques and collectibles, inside and out.
The hippie van, parked along the beach in the theme park area of Hot Sam’s.
I was tempted, quite tempted, to disobey these signs. Next visit…
© Copyright 2012 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Continuing the enjoyment of a great ‘tour’!!!!!
Thanks, Doreen. One more day on the bus before the tour ends tomorrow.
:=)
Nice Packard in 2nd photo down, and equally nice Hudson Police car. You should know by now that cars attract me!!!!!!! Automobiles have kept me broke for years.:)
Nice to hear from you, Allan. It’s been awhile. You certainly know your cars, just like my automotive machinist husband.
That looks like a fascinating place, but I think I would have been a little scared, too. Especially by the dirty naked dolls placed in the fence like a warning.
Once I overcame that initial trepidation, I loved the place. And, yes, I’ll admit the dolls on the fence looked a bit scary. But I saw similar dolls lashed once to the back of a truck at a threshing show and that was even more unsettling.
Wow this place in intense. Have you even seen the TV show “American Pickers”? Two guys from Iowa that love this kind of place! I wonder if they’ve ever heard of it? Anyway it looks like a neat place to visit, cant wait for your 3rd post 🙂
I’ve seen “American Pickers” once when we were staying at a Fargo hotel. We get our TV reception from our roof antenna, so television choices are limited. But I loved the show and remarked to Randy that the Pickers would love Hot Sam’s. Great minds think alike.
Oh, my word! What a place! Those dolls in the fence – oy! I think that Colin would really enjoy it there!
The dolls on the fence are a bit unusual, even I’ll admit that. But the whole place is quite the place. And, yes, Colin would enjoy this and so would you and your camera.
I want that 1950 Ford cop car! Is it Forsale?
I wish I could tell you, Jack, but I can’t. You’ll have to phone Hot Sam’s Antiques in Lakeville, MN. If you do, tell them I sent you their way. Keep me posted.