Vince Hanneman began building the Cathedral of Junk in his Austin, TX backyard in 1988, when he was in his mid-twenties. He's added to it steadily ever since, and he estimates that it now contains over 60 tons of junk.

Although he's been dubbed a "yardist" by the local art community, he's a very down-to-earth guy who harbors no illusions about the significance of his creation. "I just did it because it was kinda cool," he tells us. "It's my clubhouse. It's fun. Kids, when they come through, they know what it is."

The yuppies in the townhome complex behind Vince's yard wouldn't mind if Vince tore down his Cathedral. They've complained to the city, and the city has sent engineers -- several over the years -- who shake and study Vince's creation, trying to find its weak spots, but it has none.

It's absolutely "Austin Weird"!!!