Al's Housetruck

Behind the scenes at the Oregon Country Fair,
this vintage housetruck is the VegManECs Playhouse

Text: Sharkey::  Photos: Sharkey and Greg

This old Dodge was originally featured on the cover of Rolling Homes, it is now the office and Safety-Break room of the VegManECs* at the Oregon Country Fair. * Vegetation Management and Erosion Control, The crew which is responsible for climbing trees, pulling poison oak, and other distasteful ground-engagement chores at the Fair site. They love their jobs!

Inside, the appliances have been removed to allow more seating, making room for the meetings needed to plan the attack on the noxious weeds which plot to invade the Fair site. Considering the general state of disrepair that this truck is in, these photos make it look pretty good.

Constructed by Al in the early 1970's, this truck traveled extensively in the Pacific Northwest as a member of the Northwest Touring Company. The Oregon Country Fair acquired the truck when John, the former caretaker of the Fair property, received it as a contribution from the previous owner.

This photo was taken in 1978 by Greg. It's a bit faded, but shows the right-hand side well.

It's doubtful that this rig will ever see the road again, but is has found a way to be of some use as it gracefully returns to the basic elements from which it's construction materials were made.