FIVE FACTS

THE FUTURO HOUSE

Photo courtesy of Wes Snyder / Story by Katrina Mae Leuzinger

ALIENS LIVE AMONG US. At least, that’s what you might believe if you catch a quick glimpse of the building known informally as the “Frisco UFO” on the drive south to the Hatteras ferry. Ever since it “landed” on Hatteras Island 48 years ago, the shiny silver flying saucer with plush aliens peeking out of its windows has been the subject of much curiosity, photographs and double-takes. But it didn’t come from a galaxy far, far away – instead, this strange little structure is actually a Futuro House, one of about a hundred built (firmly on land) in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

1Back to the Futuro

The Futuro House was designed in 1968 by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. Suuronen envisioned a lightweight, kit-style home that could be easily transported and assembled anywhere – even at the top of a snowy mountain. In fact, Suuronen designed the single-bedroom homes as private ski chalets, with a flying saucer shape that prevented snow from accumulating on their roofs, held up in high winds, and gave them a whimsical, futuristic look. Playboy magazine advertised them as “portable playhouses” and “the ultimate bachelor pads,” and they came complete with furnishings customized to fit their round shapes. Though they never quite took off (wink, wink), Futuro Houses were built all over the world, from Sweden to South Africa to right here on the Outer Banks.

2Flying saucer furor

Though the records are difficult to trace, researchers estimate that a total of 96 Futuro Houses were manufactured and shipped in the late ‘60s and ‘70s. Over at TheFuturoHouse.com, architectural enthusiasts have devoted a surprising amount of effort to tracking down and documenting each of those 96 houses. Of that total number, 67 have been found intact and 13 have been confirmed demolished. The remaining 16 – a.k.a., “the lost Futuros” – have all been listed and tracked to their last known locations. In other circumstances that might mean the case was closed, but in the world of Futuro House devotees, debates still rage over whether or not the similar, UFO-shaped “Googie Huts” found mainly in Australia and Antarctica count as modified Futuros…or are merely unlicensed lookalikes.

3To infinity and beyond

The Frisco UFO was first built about 50 years ago by Dr. Lee and Mrs. Mary Jane Russo, who wanted a special vacation home away from the bustle of Baltimore. During their search, Mary Jane spotted an ad for the fantastical kit in The Last Whole Earth Catalog and decided she had to have it. When their family expanded and outgrew the compact pad, the Russos donated it to the local fire department on Hatteras Island, who planned to set it aflame for practice. Deciding later they’d rather have the money instead, the fire department raffled off the home. From there the spaceship moved around the island several times, and has since served as The Hatteras Monitor magazine office, a Girl Scout meeting place, the office for the Scotch Bonnet Marina and Campground, and as an Out of This World hotdog stand.

4Take me to your island

Today the Frisco UFO is owned by Leroy Reynolds, and is the subject of some minor local controversy. The county has declared the near half-century-old structure unlivable, and will not allow it to be connected to water or electric. That’s disappointing to Reynolds, who would like to expand on this unofficial tourist attraction by adding an air-conditioned building to use as a souvenir shop. But Reynolds does still pull in a little bit of money from the people who stop to look at the house. During the peak summer season, you can often find him standing outside in a neon green racing suit and a matching rubber alien mask, selling t-shirts that say “Take me to your island.”

5The truth is out there

James Bagwell, the owner of the land the Frisco UFO sits on, likes to claim that the spaceship is the second-most photographed thing on Hatteras Island, bested only by the lighthouse. Besides taking pictures, visitors have also been known to say and do all sorts of things when they come in contact with the house. Previous owners have mentioned people stopping to moon the UFO, strangers knocking on the door at midnight with requests to look around inside, and little boys inquiring after ray guns. But the Frisco UFO’s most colorful visitors are the people who like to compare it to the real UFOs they claim to have seen or even been abducted by. According to them, the Frisco UFO isn’t quite true to life… but it comes pretty darn close.

T W I D D Y & C O M P A N Y , R E A L T O R S 1 1 8 1 D U C K R O A D | D U C K , N C 2 7 9 4 9 T H E O B X H O M E S T E A M S P E C I A L I Z I N G I N L U X U R Y , O C E A N F R O N T , A N D I N V E S T M E N T P R O P E R T I E S O N T H E N O R T H E R N B E A C H E S O F T H E O U T E R B A N K S # 1 T E A M I N R E S I D E N T I A L S A L E S F O R C O R O L L A T O P P R O D U C E R S A T T W I D D Y & C O M P A N Y , R E A L T O R S O V E R 2 7 M I L L I O N I N S A L E S F O R 2 0 1 9 * H E A T H E R M C L A Y | A S H L E Y L A D D | M A N D I J O N E S T E A M @ O B X H O M E S , C O M | 2 5 2 - 2 0 2 - 3 4 0 9 W W W . O B X H O M E S . C O M 36 | SUMMER 2020 *Based on information from the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® MLS for the period January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.