After 5 years, Humpty Dumpty resurfaces at downtown Ann Arbor's Cavern Club
After 5 years in storage, Cavern Club owner Nick Easton re-erected Humpty Dumpty on his downtown building.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
But to Nick Easton, the maize-and-blue Humpty Dumpty at his downtown Ann Arbor entertainment complex signifies nearly 20 years of memories.
And after spending five years in storage, Humpty Dumpty has resurfaced on the roof of Cavern Club.
“Humpty is just one of those things that I think helps to make a town unique and special, in its own tiny little way,” Easton said. “It’s a fun diversion and something that kids can relate to, especially if they’ve heard nursery rhymes.”
Humpty Dumpty at downtown Ann Arbor's Cavern Club.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
Easton, also a former antique dealer, purchased the building at 120 S. First St. in 1994. Formerly the old Ann Arbor Implement Co., Easton transformed it into four nightclubs and his own antique-filled apartment.
But in the 1980s, when Cavern Club still was just an idea, Easton purchased the six-foot-tall, 150-pound Humpty Dumpty at a Michigan “tourist trap” for $250.
“I’m not quite sure why (I bought him),” Easton said. “I just thought it was a neat thing.”
“When I bought the building, we put Humpty up a couple years later,” he said. “I painted him maize and blue so he’s totally fitting with the community.”
In 1998, a group of people, armed with ladders and ropes, maneuvered Humpty off the roof and stole him. Easton offered a $300 reward for his return, which came three months later when a pickup truck pulled up outside the club, dropped Humpty on the sidewalk and drove away.
“He was back safe and I couldn’t even see a scratch on him,” Easton said.
Humpty was removed from the roof again five years ago and placed in storage while Easton constructed an upper-level deck on the building. Six weeks ago, Easton decided to re-erect the sculpture.
“It’s just fun to see children walk by, especially groups from summer camp or daycare, and they all point up to the roof,” he said.
Easton said he plans to install lights around Humpty so people can see him at night. But this time around, he said, it’s going to take a lot more effort to steal him.
“We put a barbed wire fence around the roof so that if anybody is going to attempt this again, it’s going to take some work,” he said.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
mady
Mon, Jan 7, 2013 : 7:36 p.m.
all these really" bad-egg" jokes are leaving me "shell-shocked"(YAK!).
mady
Mon, Jan 7, 2013 : 7:40 p.m.
....hopefully no one will be "scrambling" to add to this(YAK!)........
Geez
Mon, Jan 7, 2013 : 2:08 a.m.
Good looking fella. Slightly resembles humpty :-)
KINGofSKA
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 10:48 p.m.
Still doesn't ease the pain of no more bluegrass night.
Dog Guy
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 10:13 p.m.
This maize-and-blue Humpty Dumpty is neither advertising nor signage, but decoration on the roof of Nick Easton's home (regretfully without a Santa hat for the past twelve days or the flashing LED's required by the official Ann Arbor aesthetic). We may hope for a lighted heart on February 14 or a tricorn hat for July 4.
Seasoned Cit
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 8:51 p.m.
I think Humpty is just getting ready to be able to window peep once the new housing gets finished across the street. Now he had can watch construction. A good egg's dream job.
dukeravenwood
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 6:18 p.m.
I drink up all the Hennessey ya got on ya shelf so just let me introduce myself My name is Humpty, pronounced with a Umpty. Yo ladies, oh how I like to hump thee. And all the rappers in the top ten--please allow me to bump thee. I'm steppin' tall, y'all, and just like Humpty Dumpty you're gonna fall when the stereos pump me.
Brad
Mon, Jan 7, 2013 : 12:27 a.m.
Any relation to @twentypoundcarp? Just sayin'
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.
This is the first I've seen it in 30 years of living in A2. So it's okay for a businesses to have a promotional statue-signage on their roof? How about those big inflatable gorillas? Most cities restrict that stuff under the signage code.
Brad
Mon, Jan 7, 2013 : 12:25 a.m.
On the other side of the RR tracks it's Historic District, but not there. Location, location, location.
notnecessary
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 9:11 p.m.
Heaven forbid a business try to make some money in this town by....advertising! I'd like to get rid of that public art advertising for the city government too if we could get our $$ back
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.
Absolutely. It's just advertising, often to get around restrictions on large signage and billboards. The inflatable monstrosities that litter strip mall havens like Troy are a terrible eyesore.
notnecessary
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 3:40 p.m.
If no codes existed, would you have a problem with this?
actionjackson
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 2:06 p.m.
"We put a barbed wire fence around the roof so that if anybody is going to attempt this again, it's going to take some work," he said. Some fraternity will take that statement as a challenge during pledge week. Can't remember how many times Paul Bunyan's statue made it from Jackson & Zeeb to the Michigan Union tree over the 60's and 70's.
roadsidedinerlover
Mon, Jan 7, 2013 : 2:41 a.m.
Paul has really and truly disappeared now. The owner of Stagecoach Stop in Irish Hills bought it way back and now it has been auctioned off.... http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/9042
Cavern Clubs
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
Even Better Boo...All the King's Horses and all the King's Men did!
Boo Radley
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.
:) Very Good!
Boo Radley
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 1:06 p.m.
Did the DDA approve this?
Brad
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 1:35 p.m.
No, but they were willing to make an eggception in this case.
conundrummy
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 11:08 a.m.
This egg headed idea cracks me up.