Ferdinan Cheval was delivering mail in April, 1879. He tripped
on a stone and inspired by its shape, he started collecting
stones. For the next 33 years, Cheval carried stones from his
delivery rounds and at home used them to build his Palais idéal,
the Ideal Palace. First he carried the stones in his pockets,
then a basket and eventually a wheelbarrow. Cheval spent the
first two decades building the outer walls. The Palace is a mix
of different styles with inspirations from the Bible to Hindu
mythology. The stones are bound together with lime, mortar and
cement. Cheval also wanted to be buried in his palace. However,
since that is illegal in France, he proceeded to spend eight
more years building a mausoleum for himself in the cemetery of
Hauterives. Cheval died on August 19, 1924, around a year after
he had finished building it, and is buried there. For more info
and photos go to oddity. Everything in Eliphante, a property in
Cornville, AZ, USA is made from found materials. The three acre
site was created o