Jerry’s Junk 2017

by Kaylah Stroup

Jerry's Junk

Over the weekend I took a spur of the moment trip to Louisville, Kentucky. The trip itself wasn’t spur of the moment. It’d been in the plans for a couple months. It was supposed to be a huge road trip but with my dad’s surgery being rescheduled for the week we’d planned to be away it seemed only right to cancel. Jeff had already taken the week off work though so we had to get away, even if it was just a short trip.

We tossed around a handful of ideas but after finding a really neat hotel in Louisville decided it was exactly where we wanted to go. We left early Sunday morning and slowly worked our way down through Ohio. The trip itself was fairly uneventful, a few cemeteries, some geocaching, and eating. Holy smokes, Steel City Pops is amazing. Just a nice, relaxing little getaway – exactly what I needed.

While figuring out what to do with the rest of our day at breakfast on Monday I decided to hop on Roadside America and see if we were near anything worth checking out. As luck would have it, we had apparently chosen a breakfast joint less than 300 ft away from Jerry’s Junk!
Jerry's Junk Jerry's Junk, Louisville, Roadtrip, Roadside Attractions

Back in 2014 I took one of my first road trips as an adult and ended up discovering Jerry’s Junk. It’s one of my absolute favorite memories. We had randomly found it on Roadside America and decided to take a little detour on the way down to Nashville. While standing around and taking photos, we were greeted by Jerry, the collector himself! He showed us around his property and I even ended up purchasing one of my absolute favorite possessions off of him, my medical man. I hold that memory very close to my heart. Upon a little bit further reading it seems as though being greeted, and shown around by Jerry isn’t all that rare but I still take the chance to brag about it anytime I can, like when his episode of American Pickers is on!

It wasn’t a huge deal for me to visit again on this trip which is why it wasn’t already on my radar but when I realized I was literally steps away, I had to visit. It was really fun to see it all again. There’s just so much to take in. Everything was essentially the same as I remembered. Although upon comparing photos from my first visit and this one there are a lot of differences. It’s interesting to think about where the things that were missing went. I’d like to think that those pieces have been purchased by other small time collectors, like myself. Like somehow my medical man makes me part of a secret club…

While peeking through the bars of his fence I spotted three little kittens. I can’t think of a more fun place to be a kitty. So many things to climb around on, and places to hide under. I was trying to get a better shot of one of the kitties when I spotted a water dish and food bowl for the little guys tucked behind some of the random objects. I already loved this place but seeing that Jerry is so clearly a cat lover as well, I like it here even more!

Check out my post from 2014’s visit to Jerry’s Junk here.
You can read more about Jerry’s Junk & find his address here.

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16 comments

Nicole September 6, 2017 - 9:20 am

I live on the street where Jerry’s Junk is– while this was a romantic getaway; I wish I would’ve seen you just to tell you how much I love reading your blog and have followed for years. Glad your weekend was awesome. We’re getting ready to move a couple of streets over, but Jerry’s is still so close I’ll always consider it my marker of home. Hope you come back again!

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Kaylah September 6, 2017 - 1:45 pm

Aww, you’re sweet!
<3

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allie September 6, 2017 - 9:56 am

I somehow missed this when I was in Kentucky – probably for the best since I would have come back with too many things. That last photo of the kitten looks exactly like Mozart! Too cute.

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Kaylah September 6, 2017 - 1:45 pm

I was wondering if you’d made it out there yet! Definitely some place you’d love!

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Kate @ GreatestEscapist.com September 6, 2017 - 10:18 am

What a cool spot! I was looking on Roadside America recently to see if there was anything good nearby that I’ve yet to see, & I didn’t find much – but I do want to go to the contraceptive museum at Case & the cement cornfield near Columbus.

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Kaylah September 6, 2017 - 1:41 pm

What, what!!? You haven’t made it to the corn yet!? I love that place.

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gigi September 6, 2017 - 11:04 am

I live in Louisville and love that junky place. It was one of my first discoveries when I first moved here and knew I had found a city that suited me. Next time you’re around these parts, if you haven’t already and the river is down, make sure to check out the fossil beds just over the bridge in Clarksville, IN. As a nature lover, I think you’ll find them intriguing. Oh, and Steel City Pops are delicious (and super-addicting!!)

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Kaylah September 6, 2017 - 1:40 pm

What else do you love in the area? I’m sure we’ll be back that way sometime in the future.

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Marcia September 6, 2017 - 12:16 pm

Have you been to Randyland in Pittsburgh? I haven’t been yet, but it’s on my list for the very near future! Check it out!

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Kaylah September 6, 2017 - 1:39 pm

No! I still haven’t made it to Randyland! It’s on my list too.

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Sarah September 8, 2017 - 9:45 pm

This looks like the kind of place I would just love exploring! Sounds like I need to plan a little trip to Kentucky 🙂

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cat September 9, 2017 - 12:16 am

This place reminds me a lot of a restaurant near where I live in Riverside, California called Tio’s Tacos. The owner collects bits and pieces of everything and makes them into sculptures and other art. I know that it’s definitely a ways away from you, but it seems a lot like your style, so if you’re ever nearby you should check it out.

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Patty September 24, 2017 - 2:01 am

Ahhh! That last picture of the grey kitten peaking out is so precious.

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