We all have dreams and visions; however, for many of us, they remain just that. Alex was a man of action and he turned his visions and dreams into reality.
Alexander John Jordan was born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1914 to Mary Magdelina Pregler and Alexander P. Jordan. He spent his whole life living in Madison.Alex then went from job to job. He had driven taxi and worked for Rayovac. He also worked for his father maintaining a family apartment building, the Villa Maria and he also worked construction for his father. Working for his father is where Alex acquired the basic knowledge of construction.
In the 1940’s, Alex discovered Deer Shelter Rock and began having small picnics atop the rock. He then started bringing his tent and camping out. One night, his tent got blown away and from that day, Alex decided he wanted to build something more stable. That was the beginning of his dreams.
Alex started off by renting the rock and a bit of land around it from a local farmer. He first built a small studio with a fireplace. Then Alex, with the help of his parents, purchased the 240 acre property so he could build as he pleased. What took shape on and around the Deer Shelter Rock was truly a remarkable achievement. More remarkable still is the fact that he built much of the original house himself carrying the materials up the 60 foot chimney of rock.
As curiosity grew surrounding his project, Alex became somewhat irritated. Alex decided he was going to charge people 50 cents to visit, thinking that would drive them away; however, people gladly paid the fee. In 1960, Alex decided to open the House on the Rock to the public. This increased the interest and the crowds grew. All of the money taken in over the years was put directly back into the House on the Rock. Alex had no other source of income.Alex was devoted to the House on the Rock. It was his life, dream and passion. He only stayed at the House on the Rock 4 nights of his life.He lived very modestly in a small apartment
