Maybe residents are more responsible in the southwest, or perhaps they just like to keep their bizarre collections hidden. Oddities in Tucson storage units are generally few and far between. Occasionally, a report will surface that a few artifacts were found, but known collections mostly hold scorpions, with a few unspeakable things thrown in the mix. However, strange collections are fairly common throughout the world and the following contains a smattering of the weirdest. Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum What does a world-renowned celebrity do when his storage is overflowing with random and bizarre things? He opens a memorabilia museum loaded with all things related to him, of course. The Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum was demolished, and pieces have since been put up for auction, but it was a fun attraction for eight years once he got everything dusted off. The collection held all sorts of things from his movies, like the canoe from Deliverance, and the hockey stick lawn chair from Mystery Alaska. It also had items from his days on Evening Shade and a large assortment of sports memorabilia. Among the oddities included were: His own personal rolodex A motorized stagecoach used in his wedding to Lonnie Anderson, which features interior design by none other than Dolly Parton A framed letter from the surgeon who removed his spleen in an emergency operation Fred Biletnikoff’s last jar of Stick 'Em adhesive Pirate Treasure It seems to be the stuff of fairy tales, but one man found treasure, and he didn’t even have to sail the seven seas to get it. Over 500,000 dollars in real pirate treasure was discovered in a California storage unit. The chest and loot was so heavy that it required three people to move it. The origins of the booty are not widely known, but surely if the “original owner” knew his loot had been discovered, certain landlubbers would be walking the plank right about now. Paris Hilton’s Personal Collection While it’s not overtly strange that a person would use a storage facility to hold personal items, it becomes a little odd when that individual is famous, and they don’t pay their bill. Paris Hilton did just this, and delivered her own medical records, photos and videos of her escapades, audio of conversations, and diary, into the hands of a collector. The pieces eventually sold for 10 million dollars and became part of a website display of sorts. Aretha Franklin had a similar event, when she rented out a space in Michigan to store her attire after a house fire. If the lot contained anything as scandalous as Paris’ collection, the buyer was very tight-lipped, though. Perhaps something exciting will be revealed in a Tucson storage unit soon. If pirate treasure can wind up in California and original Picasso works in Ohio, surely Arizona is overdue. Call or stop by our self storage facility in Tucson today! US Storage Centers 4115 East Speedway Tucson, AZ 85712 (520) 442-0010
