By now, just about everyone has seen the Disney/Pixar movie Up, which features an old man named Carl who refuses to leave his beloved home even while the surrounding area gets industrialized. The story of Edith Macefield is strikingly similar…but its ending will leave you heartbroken.
Edith had lived in her little home for nearly sixty years, and it was more than just a house; it was a part of her. She had moved there in 1952 and stayed even when she was asked to leave. Just like this elderly man who stayed in his home while terrible people vandalized it, this delightfully stubborn woman refused to move — even after she was offered one million dollars and assistance with housing and healthcare. The developers were forced to build around her house, almost making it look like this tiny, sandwiched residence, and it became a symbol of the anti-corporate movement.
In 2008, Edith succumbed to pancreatic cancer, and from there, the future of the little home became a lot bleaker. She'd left the house to a friend, who then sold it to a company called Reach Returns. The plan was to keep the house intact, but it fell through when they couldn't get the funds they needed. Now, it's in foreclosure…and it looks like it's only a matter of time before it gets demolished.
If you're as disgusted by this as I am, please SHARE Edith's story!
Edith was multi-lingual, a WWII spy, and a concentration camp escapee. She originally moved into her quaint little home to help her mother, who was sick at the time.
When developers tried to convince her to move, she gave them a firm "no." Not even an offer of a million dollars was able to persuade her to leave the home she loved.
The developers were forced to awkwardly build an LA Fitness and Trader Joe's around the house, making it an oddly inspiring scene.
The house became an icon for those who are against corporate greed. But Edith never wanted the fame that came with her refusal; she just didn't want to move.
When Edith died, she actually left the house to the supervisor of the construction crew responsible for building the businesses around her. He had become fond of Edith and took care of her when she needed it.
Unfortunately, when he sold the house to Reach Returns, it fell into foreclosure when the company was unable to finance the project they needed to keep the house intact.
The little house with a big story is set to be auctioned off soon as an appropriate buy has yet to be found.
It's such a sad ending to such an incredible story of one woman's willpower in the face of adversity. When will big corporations learn that some things are just meant to be left as they are?
To see inside the house, watch the video below!
Source: Daily Mail
