Tennessee’s Minister’s Treehouse was closed by the state fire marshal in 2012 over safety and building-code concerns. Seven years later, on October 22, 2019, the Crossville landmark burned down. The cause of the fire was not established in the reporting available.
What was the Minister’s Treehouse?
Built by local minister and landscaper Horace Burgess in Crossville, Tennessee, the Minister’s Treehouse became a widely publicized local attraction. Burgess began the project in the early 1990s; Crossville News First reported in 2019 that he spent eleven years building it. A separate account describes the construction as lasting more than a decade.
Burgess said a religious vision inspired the project. In a recollection quoted by Texas Public Radio, he said, “Then I turned my life over to God,” and recalled being told, “If you build Me a tree house, I’ll never let you run out of material.” This is Burgess’s account of his inspiration, not an independently verified event.
The multilevel wooden structure extended through several trees and was commonly described as the world’s largest treehouse. Its reported dimensions vary, and the available accounts do not cite an official survey.
#1 Best Overall
- TREEHOUSE PLAYSET - Build, paint, decorate, and grow your own wooden tree house! Start your treehouse adventure with a classic play and pretend toy. Personalize your tree house with stickers and paint and bring your tree to life with easy-grow chia-seeds
- COMPLETE CRAFT KIT - Everything you need is included, just add imagination! This kids craft kit includes: 3d wooden tree house puzzle cut-outs, mini toy critters, stickers, easy grow chia seeds, grow trays, water dropper, faux leaves, paintbrush and more!
- WATCH IT GROW - Bring your treehouse to life with easy-grow chia seed and soil-free grow mats that make gardening a less mess success! Growing your own plants is a great STEM activity for kids to learn about plant life cycles, responsibility and nurturing
- DECORATE YOUR TREE HOUSE TOY - Transform your 3d wooden treehouse into a colorful toy with fun stickers and paint! Accent your treehouse playset with ready to paint wooden accessories and stickers that look like rugs, posters, paintings, windows, and more
- CLASSIC TOYS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS - This classic activity for kids features so many fun details! After you build and decorate your wooden treehouse playset; play, pretend, and go on an adventure in your new clubhouse with the included mini woodland critters
| Reported figure | Source and qualification |
|---|---|
| About 97 feet tall | Reported by NTD Newsroom in 2019; not an official measurement in the cited sources. |
| About 100 feet tall and roughly 10,000 square feet | Horace Burgess’s estimate, relayed by Crossville News First in 2019. The account says the structure had no blueprints and Burgess estimated its area. |
Those figures help explain the treehouse’s reputation, but they should be treated as reported dimensions and estimates rather than precise, verified measurements.
Why was it closed?
The state fire marshal closed the public attraction in 2012 over safety and building-code concerns. Texas Public Radio reported issues including missing load-distribution measures, uneven flooring, fall hazards, code violations, and the absence of a registered design professional. Burgess posted a notice that read, “Closed by the state fire marshall.”
Rank #2
- Both girls and boys will love building our Friends Tree House set where they can experience roleplay fun develop the practice ability and increase their friendship inside a detailed Tree House toy.
- Build worry-free with 504 pieces, ensuring no crucial blocks are missing.Enjoy the easy-to-follow, detailed and colorful instructions featuring accurate step-by-step pictures for stress-free building.
- Transform your little girl's playtime with a beautifully crafted tree house building set. The sturdy and stylish house is designed for durability and as a special decoration piece in your home, featuring a charming pink and girls style.
- Indulge your family in a lively forest experience with this treehouse. With playful amenities, your children will enjoy endless afternoons of fun.
- Experience the Joys of forest Living with This Holiday treehouse Building Set -- This fun and creative toy is perfect for kids aged 6+ who love to build and explore their imaginations. Designed as an ideal gift for birthdays, holidays and Christmas.
The closure happened seven years before the fire. It documents concerns about the structure’s safety and code compliance; it does not establish what later ignited the fire.
When did the treehouse burn down?
The treehouse burned on the night of October 22, 2019. Contemporary reporting said it was already engulfed when police saw it and was destroyed in less than 15 minutes, citing Cumberland County Fire Rescue. No one was injured. NewsChannel 5 also reported the destruction, while Texas Public Radio’s October 24 account covered the fire and its aftermath.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #3
- 【🌸 Japanese-Inspired Serenity】Craft a fairy sakura-scented retreat with this Rolife 3d puzzle! Delicate cherry blossoms, a swing, spiral stairs & lift basket channel —no plastic, just soul-soothing wood. The miniature kit brings adventure fantasies to life.
- 【🌳Stress Melts Away】535-piece 3d puzzle click snugly without glue—just gentle pressure! (no nail-breaking snaps!). Enjoy 5 hours of immersive, stress-relieving fun with the miniature kit. Perfect for unwinding after work or sharing quality time with family.
- 【✅Born Sturdy】The wooden puzzle uses durable plywood. The natural friction + reinforced joints at branchesstairs holds shape steady and durable.
- 【✨Proudly Displayed】Once built, this stunning bonsai tree model kit becomes a conversation-starting decor piece. The sakura’s soft pinks and lifelike textures evoke tranquility in any room. Compatible with your beloved mini figures for storytelling fun.
- 【🎁 Perfectly Giftable】Surprise a friend or family member with a unique japanese sakura present that inspires creativity and patience. Packaged in elegant gift-ready box.
Why did it catch fire?
The reporting cited here did not determine the fire’s ignition source. A fire-service representative told Texas Public Radio an investigation was unlikely because no one was injured and the structure was uninsured. The available accounts therefore do not support calling the fire arson, an accident, or a result of the building-code concerns that led to the 2012 closure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What remains of the landmark?
The treehouse itself was destroyed in 2019. A 2008 Tennessee Crossroads feature shows that it had been part of the area’s public profile well before the fire. The cited reporting does not establish current site access, ownership, or redevelopment, so visitors should not assume the former attraction is open.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Exquisite Treehouse Toys -- Boys and girls will love the treehouse set, they can experience role-play fun, develop hands-on skills and improve concentration in this exquisite and beautiful treehouse toy
- Creative Kids Adventure Toys -- Our treehouse building toys bring endless role-play fun and inspire endless imagination for kids. She/he can live in her/his own area with the critters, or lounge on the balcony, or play in the garden, or pretend as a camping adventure together
- Easy to Build without Frustration -- 558 pieces of quality ABS bricks with detailed colourful instructions that are easy to understand and accurate step-by-step pictures to make building simple. No missing pieces, no falling apart, no frustration or disappointment in the building process
- Fun Playtimes for Girls and Boys -- The beautiful treehouse construction kit will bring girls and boys a lot of fun time and is a great parent-child toy that will immerse you and your family in a vibrant forest adventure experience. Also, the beautiful treehouse shape can also decorate your child's desk
- Beautiful Holiday and Birthday Gift -- Treehouse construction toys are suitable for boys and girls aged 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 years old and above to play with their friends or family. It is an ideal gift for kids on their birthday or festive occasions such as Christmas and New Year
Rank #4
- 2-TIERED TREE HOUSE Enjoy hours of creative play with the Lincoln Logs 2-Tiered Tree House!
- MULTIPLE DESIGNS Build 1 of 3 different treehouses or design and build your own!
- BUILD TALL New plastic components allow kids to build to new heights. Includes a Tree trunk, branch, canopy pieces, ladder, and tire swing.
- OVER 80 PIECES Includes over 80 plastic and wooden pieces
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
