Clint Bolin, Rock Collector
Clint Bolin collected rocks. That, in itself, isn't weird. However, Bolin made it weird by hoarding massive amounts of rocks of absolutely no value. He also collected chunks of concrete and slabs of cement.
When he vacated his Long Beach apartment in 1975, he left behind 60,000 pounds of rocks, all neatly boxed. There were about 600 rock boxes, each weighing over 100 lbs.
Strangely, no one had ever seen him carrying any of these boxes in. And he was only a frail man, weighing about 150 lbs. Plus, he had only lived in the apartment for four months. So how he managed to accumulate so many boxes of rocks in his apartment remains a mystery.
I haven't been able to find any sources that describe what became of him after he made headlines in 1975. It's as if he disappeared into thin air.
When he vacated his Long Beach apartment in 1975, he left behind 60,000 pounds of rocks, all neatly boxed. There were about 600 rock boxes, each weighing over 100 lbs.
Strangely, no one had ever seen him carrying any of these boxes in. And he was only a frail man, weighing about 150 lbs. Plus, he had only lived in the apartment for four months. So how he managed to accumulate so many boxes of rocks in his apartment remains a mystery.
I haven't been able to find any sources that describe what became of him after he made headlines in 1975. It's as if he disappeared into thin air.
Los Angeles Times - May 8, 1975
Comments
Clint was obviously plagued by the curse of 'a mans home is his castle' in which every morning he wakes up to about two hundred pounds of rocks and composite, with which he is expected to 'build his castle'.
An ancient viking curse few have ever noted.
An ancient viking curse few have ever noted.
Posted by Jessica on 05/21/20 at 07:37 AM
This is so frustrating because I remember knowing something about this at the time (or a similar incident), but I can't for the life of me recall what I knew, or even what area it fell in.
The one thing that does jump out at me now is the floor load. 60,000 lbs. spread over a 1,00 sq. ft. apartment is 60 lbs/sq.ft.. Residential is usually rated 40, and commercial 50. They were lucky it was mostly stacked against the wall rather than piled in the center of the rooms.
I wonder if anyone ever checked for a tunnel leading to a nearby bank . . .
The one thing that does jump out at me now is the floor load. 60,000 lbs. spread over a 1,00 sq. ft. apartment is 60 lbs/sq.ft.. Residential is usually rated 40, and commercial 50. They were lucky it was mostly stacked against the wall rather than piled in the center of the rooms.
I wonder if anyone ever checked for a tunnel leading to a nearby bank . . .
Posted by Phideaux on 05/21/20 at 06:44 PM
The same thought crossed my mind, Phideaux. 30 tons (more or less) of anything stacked like that is bound to have some effect on the structure.
My family once had a dog that would pick up rocks and bring them home. I always wondered what went through its little mind that would make it do such a thing.
My family once had a dog that would pick up rocks and bring them home. I always wondered what went through its little mind that would make it do such a thing.
Posted by KDP on 05/22/20 at 09:05 AM
My current house came with the obligatory stacks of National Geographic in the attic, although not 60,000 lbs.
Posted by Virtual in Carnate on 05/22/20 at 12:27 PM
I wonder if the hundreds of pounds left in the next 2 motels were the valuable ones? If people wonder what a human doing ant stuff might look like.
Posted by John on 05/25/20 at 11:44 AM
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Category: Hobbies and DIY | 1970s