Ron Lee is the creator of a series of soft-metal hand-painted statues.  Most of the statues have a clown theme.  Ron created the "Hobo Joe" clown persona which appears in many of the clown statues.  A contractual arrangement has been made with Warner brothers to allow Ron to create Warner Brothers cartoon character statues, such as Daffy Duck and the Road Runner. 

Ron Lee first set up operations in Burbank, California.  The operation was moved to Chatsworth, California and subsequently to Simi Valley California.  In 1994 the operation was moved again to its present location in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas.  Each move was to a location with less population density and lower costs.  This pattern suggests reclusive and misanthropic behavior. 

The Ron Lee World of Clowns Henderson Nevada facility on Carousel Parkway is a masterpiece of industrial design, obviously custom constructed for the Ron Lee operation.  The building is set back far from main road, between very large undeveloped parcels.  The result of the location selection is palpable isolation, consistent with the recluse theme.  

The factory portions of Ron Lee's World of Clowns Henderson Nevada facility all have a plate glass wall adjacent to a hallway which allows the public access to a self-guided factory tour.  In addition to the factory, the Ron Lee Henderson facility includes a large gift shop, display cases for statues, a cafeteria, administrative offices, and a carousel.  The carousel is roped off and apparently is never operated. 

It is not clear if the self-guided factory tour is still available.  The gift shop address is now on Commercial Way and the factory tour page has been excised from the Ron Lee web site.  Apparently the factory on Carousel Parkway off West Warm Springs Road is still in operation but closed to the public. It would be likely that the entire large parcel bordered by West Warm Springs Road, North Gibson Road, Kelso Dunes Avenue, and Marks Street is owned by Ron Lee. The only building on this large parcel is the Ron Lee factory, striking in a highly developed area.

Ron Lee's World of Clowns is a study in contradictions.  A factory built from the ground up to facilitate public tours, designed by a misanthrope, no longer accessible to the public.  A carousel which is never used.  A series of corporate relocations to more and more isolated areas.  A child-oriented clown-themed product sold as adult collectibles.  A retail product dependent on public distribution made by a recluse.  

Visit the Ron Lee web site.