Munster Mansion Replica in Waxahachie, Texas
While there is no official address for, “1313 Mockingbird Lane,” in Waxahachie, Texas, there is one fantastic looking replica of the Munster family home where, in 2001, Sandra and Charles McKee built a replica of the house depicted in the classic TV sitcom.
Since it’s a fictional house, the pair watched and re-watched all 70 episodes of the show in order to create their building plans. They even have a fire-breathing creature under the main staircase. Some rooms, such as the bathroom, were never shown in the series, so they were able to wing it in those sections.
Who are the Munsters?
For those who don’t know, The Munsters is an American TV sitcom from the mid-1960’s with a really catchy theme song. The show followed the antics of a quirky-but-harmless monster family. While the father was Frankenstein-esque, the grandfather, the mother and the son were all vampiric in looks. This, in contrast, made the pretty blond daughter into the family misfit. (I really can’t do it justice here, so for more about the TV show, check out the official Munster Mansion website)
Annual Munster Mansion Halloween Open House in Waxahachie, Texas
While Sandra and Charles McKee have clearly put a lot of effort into their Munster Mansion recreation, it is not meant to be a year-round tourist attraction. For them, it is simply a fun project. Lots of people, after all, have a theme for decorating their house. The McKee’s decorating theme is just a little more theatrical than most.
Even so, since 2002, the Sandra and Charles McKee have sponsored a two-day Munster Mansion Open House in October with all proceeds going to local charities, such as the Ellis County SPCA and the Salvation Army. A shuttle bus is used to ferry visitors back and forth, since the Munster Mansion is out in the country.
Besides all the hard work the couple puts into setting up this open house, the McKee’s always try to have at least one actor from the original show attend the party. In 2012, for instance, Butch Patrick (who played Eddie Munster) showed up to greet the crowd, sign a few autographs and toured the mansion.
For more information, such as the exact dates of this year’s Munster Mansion Halloween Open House as well as an excellent video interview with the Sandra and Charles McKee check out the official Munster Mansion website.
More A to Z blog posts
This was my post for the letter M of the A to Z blogging challenge. Tune in Monday to see what quirky Texan thing the letter N will bring! As of this writing, I’m actually kinda stuck on the letter N, so even I am not sure what topic I will write about. If you have a suggestion, please let me know.
In the meantime, click on this link to find out what other A to Z blogging challenge folks are writing about.
Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
That’s amazing that they went to all that effort. They must have really enjoyed the show.
I’d love to visit but meanwhile will look forward to your blog post. Hope they allow lots of photos.
That would be a fun tour!
Hi Carol,
I plan to go this year, and will definitely blog about it. Stay tuned!
~Tui
I’ve been to the Mansion and it is so fun. They did a great job on the house and all of the fun activities they host. The last time I went, I met Pat Priest who played Marilyn. Thanks Tui for highlighting a small piece of my hometown!
Hi Sonia,
That’s right! I forgot you’re from Waxahachie. It’s definitely one of the most interesting and fun little towns I’ve found here in Texas.
~Tui
I got the Munsters DVD boxset for Christmas. I still laugh even though the jokes are so old and silly.
Thank you for your posts. I didn’t realise that Texas had so much to offer :D
Hi Rebeccah,
Some old shows are like comfort food – only less fattening!
Y’know, I really didn’t know Texas had so many fun & quirky things going on either until I started digging them up. Glad you’re enjoying my posts. :)
~Tui
All they need is the Munster mobile in the driveway!
Hi John,
I’ve heard that they are building a Munster mobile. Maybe it will be ready in time for this year’s party!
~Tui
Yet another Texas trip I need to plan. This place looks awesome – I want a fire-breathing creature under my stairs!
In other news, I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award. The specifics are on my blog today. See you on Monday. I have no suggestions for you for N but I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Hi Julie,
Hmmm… The house I live in has a turret. Maybe I can convince the hubby to install a fire breathing dragon under our stairs, too!
~Tui
I love it that someone has done that to their own home but what a great outcome, to open your house twice a year for charity. That’s brilliant. I used to love watching the Munsters too.
Rosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain
Hi Rosalind,
I agree! It is very generous of them to throw their annual open house each October.
~Tui
This is totally cool! Wow, I want to go in October, although it is a bit far away. I haven’t thought about the Munsters in years.
Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com
Visiting from AtoZ #41
Hi Rhonda,
It looks great from the outside, but I’m really looking forward to seeing the inside in October.
~Tui
That sounds like it’d be lots of fun.
Hi Patricia,
Oh, yeah! I’ve got the dates for this year’s Munster Mansion open house marked off on my calendar.
~Tui