California State Point Of Historical Interest
Confusion Hill was officially listed by the California Office of Historic Preservation as a State Point of Historical Interest 1/29/10
Confusion Hill was opened in 1949 by George Hudson. It consisted of a Gift
Shop, Snack Bar and the soon to become World Famous Gravity House! You
will experience confusing visual distortions and physical sensations when you
explore the Gravity House! The Redwood Shoe House, which had been a float
in a local parade in 1947, was set up in the parking lot in 1950. Kids of all ages
have been enjoying it ever since! The Mountain Train Ride was built in 1955.
It runs on 1 1/4 miles of 20 gauge track to the hilltop and back using a special
Alpine switchback system to ascend the hillside. The Worlds Tallest Freestanding
Redwood Chainsaw Carving was created out of a dead Redwood tree during a 3
month period in 1992. This Totem Pole soars 40' over the parking lot.
Confusion Hill is a perfect example of the unique era of "Roadside Attractions"
that flourished across the United States just before and after WWII. The new
mobility that came with acquiring a family car allowed a freedom that had never
before been possible. Thousands of families could now load up the car and head
out on adventures seeking new, strange and fun places to take the family. This
was that period in our social history when the infamous phrase "are we there
YET!" echoed in the backseats of cars all across this great nation of ours!
Confusion Hill has maintained not only its physical
integrity but also a real
feeling of that bygone time. It is one of the few remaining examples of the
"Roadside Attraction" phenomena that occurred in the 1930's and 1940's. This
period reflects the start of our society's love affair with the automobile. The
family car began to be the controlling factor in a family's recreational activities.
The flavor of that period in our nation's development is purposely nurtured
and kept alive here at Confusion Hill for everyone to experience and enjoy
today. We hope that folks now will get a taste of the same MYSTERY and FUN
that flavored visits to Confusion Hill back in 1949!
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