fort apache

Not far off Hwy. 17 between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach Ft. Apache is a must! The place can be a touch intimidating for some, but once you get out of the car you can feel the place! Dale is great guy and full of tales. You can easily spend a couple of hours there!

This is a roadside attraction that makes you say "wow"! Who took the time to do this! An amazing display one wouldn't expect to find. I keep going back and scratching my head! Don't want to miss this unique discovery.

There are no words to truly capture the amazement and experience. There is something different at every turn and WOW...there is so much unique stuff. I have to go back again as I know there was something I missed.

Dale Varnum is one of a kind. Generous with his knowledge and history of the area, you can go on a tour of his acre+ of recycled junk revived and re-borne as art, with a message. What is behind the gate is indescribable and worth every minute of your time.

For years, have been by and never stopped. having a relative visiting, we decided to stop. of course the cars, crack bus, funeral, etc. makes one wonder what is going on here. first we went inside as the building is full of everything and anything, and at the very end of the "tunnel" one will find old police car, ambulance and few other antiques. the off to the "town" complete with cemetery, bank, sheriff, and all sorts of stuff. quite entertaining to say the least... and my nephew thought this was the highlight of his four day stay. check it out.

If you enjoy seeing unique and unusual things, Dale Varnam's Fort Apache is a must see. Dale and his crew are just as unique and genuine as the things there are to see. If you enjoy seeing unusual art, rummage, yard, garage and flea market sales as much as my husband and I do, you will be in paradise. We were fortunate enough to see the indoor sales that go on and on, room after room. We were sure the ladies could help us find just about anything. You can spend an hour or an afternoon! When your not shopping, the old cars, movie props and town will keep you in ahhh. So much to see. The owner Dale Varnam, greeted and welcomed us as we arrived. He gave us a little introduction to the grounds and visited with us afterwards sharing he's lifes history, Gods guidance and direction in his life, lessons learned, and his desire to reach others through Fort Apache. We will be sure to visit whenever we are in town.

If you want to see one of a kind stuff or movie props then this is the place for you. The owner is very friendly and glad to take his time and show you around. I found myself browsing for about an hour just to see how someone can be really creative. Fun for the whole family.

This place is very interesting from the wealth of knick knacks to the movie props the town located in the back. The store behind the place is one to remember. The owner was friendly an inviting.

We were on our way to Holden Beach and decided to not follow the route the GPS had us on. I'm sure glad we took a different road. We came across the most amazing place. I later learned this was a local landmark. It's called Fort Apache and is a scrap yard in the back and a fun, unusual, you can't believe your eyes place in front and inside the gate. As you draw close to it you will start seeing old cars with dummies in them as well as props from movies and theater sets. You can pull over and walk around and look at everything in front. The back is open only during the summer months. However, we were fortunate enough to meet the owner, Dale, outside and talked to him for the longest time about his life, why he decided to do this, how it was to have the American Pickers there, and the charity work he does for the needy and keeping kids off drugs. A nicer, more soft spoken man you will never meet. You will notice the "art" out front is sending the message to stay off drugs. You can't miss the place if you are on Stone Chimney Road. If you are vacationing at Holden Beach it is a stop you just have to make. We go to Holden every Jan. for a month and always stop by to see what new things have been added out front and sometimes have the pleasure of seeing Dale again.