Midgetville

Fairfax County, Virginia

The "Midgetville" in Vienna, Virginia, visible from the W&OD Trail, was a collection of six small cottages that were torn down in 2008. In 1882 the site was a small summertime resort that people visited when they wanted to escape the stressful lifestyle of Washington, D.C. In 1892 the area was purchased by Alexander Wedderburn. In 1901 the hotel burned to the ground, but a normal-sized two-story building was built around the same time at the corner of the property. In 1930, one of Alexander Wedderburn's sons, George, built six small Spanish-style cottages. A courtyard in the middle of the property was sometimes used as a fairground or a farmers' market. The Wedderburns briefly established the Wedderburn Music School on the site. The cottages were rented out but the place eventually became overgrown with ivy and trees. In 2002 the family signed a deal with contractors to tear the place down and develop the property. Though the proposal created some controversy, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the project. The cottages were all destroyed and the trees were removed in early 2008 to make way for "Wedderburn Estates."

The local legend is bolstered by two coincidences. Nearby Bailey's Crossroads, named for the Bailey family of Barnum & Bailey Circus, was used as a place to winter circus animals in the mid-1800s. Also, nearby Tysons Corner is the home of one of the Barnum & Bailey Circus headquarters. Those two facts are often used to substantiate the legend that Midgetville was a retirement village for circus midgets. The legend is sometimes told with the midgets being xenophobic and throwing rocks at curious visitors to chase them away.

Jefferson Township, New Jersey

Located near Milton, Jefferson Township, New Jersey has been the subject of urban legends about a Midgetville community. The houses are located on a secluded dirt road. There are at least six small houses with small doors, small windows and small furniture inside. Some have very ornate exterior decorations. There is one average-sized house on the grounds, inhabited by an elderly, average height couple.

Rumor has held that Alfred Ringling, famous for the Ringling Brothers Circus, built a few small-sized houses that had four-foot doors. However the houses currently all appear to be built within the last 40 years and some are built with vinyl siding which was not available during Ringling's time. Visitors claim the "midget" residents are hostile or xenophobic and will therefore shoot guns at outsiders.

Long Beach, California

An urban legend holds that with the success of the 1939 American musical fantasy film The Wizard of Oz, many of the little people who had acquired their wealth by playing the roles of the munchkins purchased lots in the La Linda development of Long Beach and built homes sized to suit their needs. La Linda affectionately became known as "Midget Town" and the proximity of the La Linda development to the studios allowed them to work many supporting casts in the movies from the 1940s on.

In fact, La Linda, originally the home of George H. Bixby, was subdivided in 1922 and most of the homes were built before 1938.

Mississauga, Ontario

Local myth describes a midgetville located near the Barbertown area of Streetsville. It contains 7 to 8 small houses and a small playground. The site is blocked off with a fence, because (1) it's Private Property; and (2) the Park has experienced vandalism It has become a common place for teenagers to come with their friends to see the village, which is discouraged because of the vandalism and drugs/alcohol found on the property.

The local myth is false and it is not a "midgetville" but in fact belongs to the Slovak Canadian Cultural Society since 1945. It is in use during their season May-October, and it can be rented out for public events since there is an outdoor/indoor eating areas, kitchen, bar, bathrooms, showers and stage. The midget rumour came from local people seeing the tiny houses and trailers, leading to the assumption of little people living in the hidden area. If they had taken the time to enquire about the property, they would find that the tiny houses are cabins that members of the Slovak organization can rent for the summer to enjoy the park. All events that happen at the Park are open to the publc, and in particular, Doors Open Mississauga, for the neighbourhood to enter the premises and learn about Slovak culture and history.

Kunming, China

In China a "Kingdom of the Little People" with fairytale houses is set to become an attraction. This has caused controversy as being "a freak show", but has defenders who feel that this might be the best chance some of these people have to be employed and independent.