Recognize the house above? If so, you don't watch enough television. You're looking at a replica of the Simpson house (Bart, not O.J.) that Pepsi and Fox built for a 1997 giveaway. The house, which is located in Henderson, Nevada, was accurate down to the tiniest details, such as Homer's orange BBQ grill and green-colored logs in the fireplace. Television obsessives have noted that the Simpson house has a mystery door that nobody ever enters or exits from, which is situated right next to the peg where Homer hangs his hard hat. Of course that door was lovingly recreated in the real house, along with details like Lisa's saxophone, a can of Duff beer on the coffee table and dirty dishes in the sink.
Top of the stairs
I haven't been an active Simpsons watcher for years, but I managed to catch the 20th anniversary special earlier this year, which was hosted by Morgan Spurlock (of 'Super Size Me!' fame). I wasn't too shocked by how far Simpsons obsessives go in their quest for celebrating and commemorating the show—there was a particularly memorable section on tattoos. One particular target for fan obsession is the Simpson house, which is on 742 Evergreen Terrace in Springfield. Of course Wikipedia has an exhaustive entry on the Simpson house, which puts the Wikipedia entry on Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water to shame (I'm serious! You should check!).
The Wikipedia entry chronicles the house's interior and exterior design, color scheme, tchotchkes, furniture and condition. Wikipedia even notes that the kitchen was rebuilt in one episode, and that Moe declared the house free from Silverfish in another.
Homer and Marge's Bedroom
The Simpsons Stairs
Alas, like many things associated with the housing market (maybe most things for the Las Vegas housing market), this story doesn't have a happy ending. With so many Simpsons obsessives out there, it's shocking that the winner of the contest never actually took possession of the house! The original Pepsi contest was a bust, because nobody came forward to redeem their golden ticket. Another drawing was held several months later, where a winning entry was drawn. The lucky winner was Barbara Howard of Richmond, Kentucky. Unfortunately, Howard couldn't uproot her life in Kentucky for a new Simpsons-centric one in Las Vegas–she was taking care of a brother with cancer at the time.
The Kitchen
Instead, Howard took a $70,000 payout from Pepsi, and the house was converted back into a drab, beige suburban house that is indistinguishable from its neighbors. The good folks at SimpsonsFolder.com have lovingly documented the house as it stood during its heyday, but also its decline. The house now has missing screens, stains on the driveway, torn blinds and plenty of other signs of neglect. Perhaps a Simpsons obsessive (you know who you are) could come to the rescue and restore the house to its former glory.
The House as it Currently Stands
[Top image from Gearfuse, all other images from The Simpsons Folder]
Sent from James' iPhone
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