AUBURN CA - Locals may not pick up on it. But weirdness abounds in Auburn and its environs.

A recent perusal of a compendium of California’s weird and wonderful sites, people and history called, naturally, “Weird California,” produced just one mention of any so-called “Weird California” site in Auburn.

The book is by a team of three writers and is a snappy, localized sequel to the well-received “Weird U.S..” There’s also a “Weird California” website. But, again, just the one mention.

And that mention isn’t even close to surprising.

Auburn dentist Dr. Kenneth Fox’s giant statues are front-row and center – including a page dedicated to a photo of a topless Amazonian spear holder – in the Roadside Attractions chapter. The oft-repeated story of school buses being re-routed from travel along Auburn Ravine Road even gets spun one more time.

But Auburn does have weird and – in the spirit of “Weird California” – here are a few of Media Life’s favorites submitted for your approval:

The Tunnel to Nowhere – Located in the Clipper Gap area east of Interstate 80 sits a railroad tunnel that has no railroad tracks. Locals call it Tunnel Zero and it's one of those mysterious leftovers from bygone times.

The Memorial to Bad Poetry – Eulalie – the nom de plume of Mary Fee Shannon – has a headstone yards away from the infamous “Rattlesnake Dick” Barter marker at the Old Auburn Cemetery. She’s been credited as probably California’s first published poetess but her “Buds Blossoms & Leaves” has failed to pass the test of time.

One Liner From Beyond – Search around the Auburn Cemetery and you’ll find that even in death, someone had a sense of humor. The inscription on the marker reads: “I told you I was sick.”

Geodesic Oddity – When Placer County politicos make weighty decisions, they’re making them under the honeycombed roofing of geodesic domes pioneered by 20th century visionary – or oddball futurist, take your pick – Buckminster Fuller. He even made it to the dedication. Today, the structures are more retro than modernistic. And their striking eccentricity just dares any who enter to make decisions as quirky as the buildings they are standing in.

The Eerie Non-Tribute to Brooke Shields – Actress Brooke Shields has a street corner named after her. The weird part is the intersection near Downtown Auburn of Brook and Shields streets was established and the signs went up long before she was born or became famous.

The Fast-food Double Take – This is obscure but worth a mention. Sit in the corner booth next to Lincoln Way at the Carl’s Jr. eatery near the Foresthill exit. You’ll see a fence with railing in front of you. Look through the railing and the wheels on most vehicles traveling by on Lincoln Way will appear to be moving backward. The rails provide just enough of a visual discontinuity to produce an effect similar to the same optical illusion appearing in movies, when wagon wheels seem to be traveling backward as the wagons are moving forward.

Statue to a Shady Politician – Schuyler Colfax was vice president during the first Ulysses S. Grant administration and didn’t get invited back because of the cloud hanging over him. While he was never convicted, he was also never cleared of connections to the Credit Mobilier of America scandal that rocked D.C. back in the early 1870s. Colfax left politics as allegations of bribery over railroad contacts swirled around him. Now he regularly makes “Worst Veeps Ever” lists. But travel up to Colfax and you’ll find a statue – apparently the only one in the U.S. – dedicated to its namesake.

Biggest Gravestone in the Cemetery – The Auburn Cemetery off Fulweiler Avenue has a towering monument near the top of its highest point. The monument is for Griffith Griffith. And who was this man with the double name? An esteemed captain of industry? A war hero? Actually, Griffith was the man who owned the quarry in Penryn where most of the other gravestones came from. It’s not often that a cemetery monument serves two purposes – as both a memorial and to squeeze in some free advertising.

Reach Media Life’s Gus Thomson at 530-852-0232 or gust@goldcountrymedia.com.