Brian Jones
Owner
A Christmas Story House
The path that has led Brian Jones from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis to “that little house on
Cleveland Street” is a result of his love for his favorite movie, “A Christmas Story.” This Thanksgiving, the
ongoing relationship between Jones and his favorite film will take on a whole new meaning with the
opening of A Christmas Story House.
A Christmas Story House takes visitors on a nostalgic journey to the sights and scenes of the classic
Christmas film. In addition to A Christmas Story House, visitors can explore the museum where items
from the movie are on display, more than 100 behind-the-scenes photos are featured and movie-related
memorabilia can be purchased.
A San Diego native, Jones had always dreamed of becoming a naval aviator like his father. After
graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in aerospace engineering, he went on to flight
school. Once he arrived, however, he learned that he did not have the sight requirements to achieve his
dream and become a pilot.
Obviously downtrodden by the sobering news, Jones parents decided they had just the thing to cheer him
up. A couple of weeks after the unfortunate news, Jones received a large wooden crate marked
"FRAGILE." When he opened it, he found the infamous leg lamp from “A Christmas Story” inside. His
parents made him a leg lamp (the “major award” from the film) to help deal with the disappointment of not
becoming a navy pilot.
The film was a family favorite, and Jones’ parents had such a good recollection of the lamp that they
actually recreated one. While it was a difficult and time-consuming task, it also was a humorous project
for the Jones’. After sending it to their son, they told him of the significant interest that the lamp received
and the fact that many people requested one for themselves.
After he left the Navy to pursue a new career, Jones was forced to make a decision about what he would
do next. Struggling with the possibility of having to move to the East Coast for a corporate job, Jones
remembered the comment from his parents about how popular the leg lamp had been. Jones set out to
figure out a way to turn this interest into a realistic business. On April 9, 2003, RedRiderLegLamps.com –
a largely online venture that sells replica leg lamps – was launched.
In the second year of RedRiderLeglamps.com, Jones’ wife e-mailed him while on deployment in the
Middle East. Her captain had alerted her to the fact that the house used in “A Christmas Story” was up for
sale on eBay. She thought she would just send a funny e-mail about how he should buy it. For Jones it
wasn’t funny – it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
In a move that any fan could appreciate, Jones told the seller that if he took the house off the market that
he would pay $150,000 for it. As quick as a tongue will stick to a metal pole in the winter, the deal was
done. Within 24 hours the house was his, and Jones flew to Cleveland for the first time ever to sign the
papers.
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