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| Name: Holy Land USA Letterbox Where: ??? Number of Boxes: 1 Placed By: Letterboxer2002@yahoo.com on January 25, 2003 Distance: .5 miles Time: 20 minutes Difficulty: easy |
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| In the early 1950's John Greco a lawyer
and evangelist responded to a personal message from God. He built
hundreds of religious based structures, grottos, and educational
dioramas using discarded plywood, tin siding, chicken wire, cement, and
fragments of religious statues. In the 1960's and 70's as many as
44,000 people per year made pilgrimage to Holy Land, USA. Since Greco's death in 1986, the park has steadily declined in grandeur. What once was a replica of the city of Bethlehem has now become a junkyard of broken garbage. Many of the buildings have been destroyed. The park has not been maintained for almost two decades. What once was a top tourist destination has now become a wasteland of debris. I have driven past this place many times on the highway and always wondered what it was. I took the time to check it out a few weeks ago. I was shocked at what I found. There is an eerie quality surrounding this park. It is clear that the people who built this place had a firm belief in their religion. It is sad to see what has become of such an interesting historic place. |
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After finding a parking space, make your way
through the front gate. Head south through the gates of
Bethlehem. Follow this paved loop clockwise. On your right
you will pass a miniature Bethlehem which is destroyed by age and
vandalism. Continue on the loop until you reach the cross which
shine's forth God's eternal light (at least from sunrise to
sunset). From the cross, you can see for miles in every
direction. At 10 degrees you will see a garden. A little
further away you can see the reproduction of Christ on the cross.
Looking at 280 degrees you will see a tall monument. Follow the
paved loop until you reach this point. The marble plaque in front
of this monument reads, "Christ the king of all nations. All
kings of the earth shall adore him. All nations shall serve
him." (psalm 71 v.11). Continue north on the paved loop until
you reach the Hollywood style billboards which read 'Holy Land
U.S.A.'. Standing in front of the 'H' take a reading of 270
degrees. The Holy Land USA Letterbox is 5 steps away in between |
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When
you have completed the Holy Land USA Letterbox please email me about
your letterboxing experience at … |
