Nathan Wakefield has big plans for Mystery Hill in Onsted
Nathan Wakefield, the new owner of Mystery Hill in Onsted, has plans to expand the popular attraction while preserving signature experiences.
Nathan Wakefield, the new owner of Mystery Hill in Onsted, has plans to expand the popular attraction while preserving signature experiences.
Wakefield, a local entrepreneur, said a mix of childhood nostalgia and professional experience led him to purchase the site at 8765 US-12.
“I have fond memories of visiting Mystery Hill as a child,” he said, recalling a visit last year that reignited his interest. “It felt absolutely magical to me.”
When the property went up for sale this spring, Wakefield tracked down the California-based owner — who had purchased and improved the property after the COVID-19 pandemic. The two connected over a shared vision, citing his background in business and fifteen years as a showperson.
Wakefield, who lives nearby, is able to take a more hands-on role — working closely with on-site staff and making regular visits for improvements and customer interaction.
In the short-term, he plans to expand gift shop offerings, increase marketing outreach and host small events. In the long-term, he’d like to add new exhibits to the oddities museum, build a stage for live entertainment and potentially develop the property into a small amusement-style venue.
Regardless of the future, he said, the attraction’s defining features will remain intact.
“The gravitational house will remain unchanged, other than periodic maintenance,” Wakefield said, adding experiences like seeing water appear to run uphill and walking through gravity-defying rooms are central to Mystery Hill.
The site’s visitors can expect incremental updates this season, including new merchandise focused on sideshow history and juggling equipment. A pop-up carnival, scheduled for July 18, will include a bounce house, vendors, food trucks and live performers.
Wakefield hopes the investment will help drive tourism across the Irish Hills.
“It’s an absolutely beautiful area and I want to do what I can to help bring more people out here.”
— Contact reporter Corey Murray at [email protected] or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @cmurrayhdn.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.lenconnect.com ’
