An English cottage style complex with an arched gateway reads "The Jim Henson Company" and atop one building is a large statue of Kermit the Frog dressed in Charlie Chaplin's The Tramp outfit, of a black suit, bowler hat, and bamboo cane.

Over 100 years of Entertainment History at the Jim Henson Company Studio

November 28, 2023, 1 Comment

JUNE 2024 UPDATE: The Jim Henson Company has decided to sell and vacate the lot. Read more from The Wrap. MARCH 2024 UPDATE: The studio is being bought by singer John Mayer, read more via Rolling Stone. FEBRUARY 2026 UPDATE: The studio was purchased by music artist John Mayer and filmmaker McG. The pair tried…

View of the parlor, with a mustard colored sofa and several chairs, as well as portraits hanging above the sofa.

Step Back In Time at the Stagecoach Inn Museum

November 22, 2023, 1 Comment

Like many small towns surrounding Los Angeles, the sleepy area of Conejo Valley experienced a post-war boom, and by 1964 some of its older structures were in danger of being demolished. One such building was the Stagecoach Inn. The Stagecoach Inn was constructed in 1876 and opened as the Grand Union Hotel. After the original…

The Devil is in the Details: The Rumored Satanic Curse that Killed Jayne Mansfield

October 25, 2023, Leave a Comment on The Devil is in the Details: The Rumored Satanic Curse that Killed Jayne Mansfield

On June 29, 1967 the fading light of Hollywood starlet Jayne Mansfield was extinguished for good when her car slammed into the back of a truck. Was her death just a random auto accident or the product of a curse brought on by Anton LeVay, the founder of the Church of Satan? Jayne Mansfield had…

View of the dining room with the fireplace in the foreground.

Halloween Time at Home

October 3, 2023, 4 Comments

October is here and it is time to showcase our home all dressed up for Halloween! Despite haunting local antique malls, I’ve bought very little fresh decor this year, but that’s fine! The few items we did acquire bring me so much joy, including a fabulous vintage blow mold owl that has been on my…

Myself standing in the middle of the exhibit space.

Looking back at Halloween in Anaheim

September 28, 2023, Leave a Comment on Looking back at Halloween in Anaheim

This year mark’s the 100th anniversary of Anaheim’s Fall Festival, and to celebrate this occasion, the Muzeo has put together not one, but two exhibits showcasing not only Anaheim’s Halloween history, but some Halloween’s earliest traditions in a unique antique postcard exhibit. Halloween at the turn of the 20th century looked much different than today,…

View of myself on the porch of our room.

Our First Visit to the Kitschtastic Madonna Inn

September 20, 2023, 3 Comments

For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to stay at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Since its opening in 1958, this sprawling complex has become iconic, beloved by generation after generation. And recently Patrick and I had the perfect excuse to stay there, as I was in a wedding in…

Overall, angled view of the Baskin Robbins, with its pink roof and palm trees out front.

A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

August 16, 2023, Leave a Comment on A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

Amid a plethora of auto body shops stands a bubblegum pink A-frame building, at first glance someone could mistake it for a life size version of Barbie’s ski shop mistakenly plopped near LAX instead of the mountains of Mammoth. But you won’t find Barbie here, this is a Baskin-Robbin’s and it’s said to be the…

A small single story Streamline Moderne style building, abandoned with collapsing wood frame.

Lonesome Spots along California Backroads

June 29, 2023, 3 Comments

Today I’m rounding up California sights from our road trip, including many more abandoned buildings, neon signs, and even a Twilight Zone filming location! Rustic Oasis Motel, 2005 U.S. 395, Olancha. “Temporarily Closed” according to Google. Airflite Cafe, US-395, Olancha. Abandoned. Invisible Theme Park cited a CalTrans survey (although I could not locate the survey…

A large neon sign features fire made of neon and script reading "The Flame" below backlit plastic reads "Prime Rib Breakfast Lunch Dinner" and in small blue neon reads 24 HRS"

Revisiting the Las Vegas Neon Museum

June 19, 2023, 3 Comments

Back in 2017 Patrick and I visited the Las Vegas Neon Museum, and had an absolute blast, taking both their daytime and nighttime tours. Recently they added a “Photo Walk” option, which is a time for photographers to have respectful free-reign (no touching of the signs!) of the boneyard, and since Patrick has gotten more…

Various costumes worn by a variety of performers.

The Art of the Striptease on Display at the Burlesque Hall of Fame

June 14, 2023, Leave a Comment on The Art of the Striptease on Display at the Burlesque Hall of Fame

Lost Places Update: The Burlesque Hall of Fame has been recategorized as a Lost Place. Why? In July of 2025, the Burlesque Hall of Fame shut its doors. You can read more on their website. * * * In Las Vegas’ Art District resides the Burlesque Hall of Fame, here one can learn the origins…

Atomic Redhead

1960s

Over 100 years of Entertainment History at the Jim Henson Company Studio

Step Back In Time at the Stagecoach Inn Museum

The Devil is in the Details: The Rumored Satanic Curse that Killed Jayne Mansfield

Halloween Time at Home

Looking back at Halloween in Anaheim

Our First Visit to the Kitschtastic Madonna Inn

A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

Lonesome Spots along California Backroads

Revisiting the Las Vegas Neon Museum

The Art of the Striptease on Display at the Burlesque Hall of Fame