The Story Behind the House of Mystery, Montana’s Quirkiest Building

When it comes to the strangest buildings in Montana, there are perhaps none more bizarre than the Montana Vortex and House of Mystery in Columbia Falls. If it weren't a tourist attraction with signs and guides, you'd likely think the crooked shack was a dilapidated cabin in the woods succumbing to the elements. But nothing is as it seems here, and you'll soon find out why.

The Story Behind One of the Strangest Buildings in Montana

As featured on the History Channel, the Montana Vortex and House of Mystery is a place where the laws of physics appear not to apply. The attraction opened in 1970 after the property owners, Joe and Marge Hauber, reported feeling "irregular" forces in the area, which they attribute to overlapping electromagnetic fields. To share their findings with the world, the Haubers decided to open a tourist attraction, building a crooked house to heighten the effects of the strange phenomena. (However, one has to wonder why the crooked house is necessary if there really is something strange going on here, but I digress.)

Visitors can try various hands-on activities to experience optical illusions allegedly caused by the mysterious forces in the area. People's heights appear to change, broomsticks stand up straight without anyone holding onto them, marbles roll uphill, and other strange happenings. The guides are very knowledgeable and teach visitors about gravity and other physics concepts—perfect educational fun for kids!

Of course, as with most roadside attractions, the House of Mystery is pretty cheesy, but it's still worth visiting. Even if you think there's no truth to the energy vortex claim, you'll have a blast anyway (and get some cool photos, to boot). And who knows? You may walk away a believer. The house isn't the only strange thing about this place. Apparently, even the trees grow at odd angles, which is much harder to explain with science. Many people also report feeling dizzy and nauseated, as if from motion sickness—is it from the crooked building or the electromagnetic forces that supposedly converge on the property? I guess you'll have to make the trip to Columbia Falls to see what you think!

Visiting the House of Mystery: Tips for Exploring Quirky Architecture

The Montana Vortex and House of Mystery is open seasonally, typically from mid-May through late September. Visit the Montana Vortex Facebook page for more information and to confirm it's open before you go. Columbia Falls is the closest town to Glacier National Park, and this quirky roadside attraction is a worthwhile stop on your way there.

Have you ever been to the House of Mystery? Do you think it's just an optical illusion, or something more? Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, one thing is for sure: this is probably the best example of weird architecture in Montana.

If you want to discover more weird places in Montana, or perhaps even take a road trip to see quirky roadside attractions, try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.