Nestled in the village of Sandia Park, just over 20 miles from the Big I in Albuquerque, resides what is, in my opinion, one of the greatest places on Earth- Tinkertown. Tinkertown is a fantastic place that shows the playful and creative nature of its builder, Ross Ward. It is creativity run amok, and I mean that in the most sincere and flattering way. Tinkertown is what happens when an imaginative and artistic soul is allowed to freely do what it desires, unrestricted by critics, neighborhood associations, unsupportive spouses or relatives, peer pressure, or any of the other things that tend to inhibit a person on a daily basis. Born in 1940, Ross J. Ward was raised in South Dakota among relics of the Wild West, and nourished on Saturday matinee westerns. At the age of 9 Ross began making buildings out of cardboard boxes and supplementing his little ghost town with Lincoln Logs, toys, and figures made of clay. At the age of 12 he progressed to making buildings out of orange crates and other materials acquired from alleys behind stores. Much time was spent in the local library looking at photos and reading articles about the Old West. As Mr. Ward states in his I Did All This While You Were Watching T.V., "Magazines from the '20s taught the kid from the '40s about the world of the 1850's." Around this same time the young Mr. Ward began to carve a bit and soon began to assemble a miniature circus. He took on two paper routes to fund his growing hobby. After graduating high school Ross took a job at a roadside attraction that was the first of many jobs to come that would hone the skills necessary to create something as wonderful and inspiring as Tinkertown. Over the years he worked at themed roadside attractions, served 2 years in the Army, spent time as a sign painter, muralist, and even traveled with a carnival for 2 years painting funhouses, scary rides, signs, and merry-go-round horses. In the late '60s Ross and his family moved to a 5 room cabin in Sandia Park, New Mexico. After settling there Ross continued to paint for carnivals and others (several paintings and murals adorn the Mineshaft Tavern in Madrid, New Mexico). With time, his carvings grew in number, and glass seeds planted in a fertile imagination grew into walls made of bottles. Rooms were added and items that had been collected over the years by Mr. Ward found a permanent display. Tinkertown opened to the public in 1983 and has grown to include 24 rooms filled with antiques, vintage toys, carved towns, animated wooden people, Otto the Automatic One Man Band machine, a vintage fortune teller, an enormous collection of wedding cake toppers, a 35-foot wooden cutter from 1936, antique arcade games, and much, much more. There is so much at Tinkertown that one may never actually see everything, even with a hundred visits. An attached gift shop sells a wide variety of items, many of a humorous nature, and includes a good selection of local literature. Be sure to pick up a Coca Cola in a glass bottle and a copy of Mr. Ward's short biography I Did All This While You Were Watching T.V., well worth the $3. Television shows such as Good Morning America and Antiques Roadshow have featured this spectacular place, and many an author has written about its whimsical splendor. I come here at least twice a year to recharge my creative batteries. The wooded seclusion and clean mountain air enhance the refreshing change of pace that Tinkertown offers. This is a must-see for everyone in, or passing through, New Mexico.
Sadly, Ross Ward passed away in 2002, and although I never had the pleasure of making his acquaintance, I view him as a kindred spirit. He has left behind a truly unique legacy and the world is a better place for it. Here's to you Ross Ward!
Tinkertown is open April 1st to November 1st 9 to 6 Daily
Admission: Adults $3 Geezers (62+) $2.50 Children 4-16 $1
505.281.5233 www.tinkertown.com
