Barry McGuire, retired actor, puppeteer and magician, settled into tiny Elk Falls around 2010. Decades earlier, his creative genius had spurred an artistic revival in this dying town.McGuire had transformed stone foundations into tiered native flower gardens that brought a new wave of tourists to this forgotten place. Through the work of a group of artists, Elk Falls became a thriving haven of creativity. McGuire had a theater constructed, and entertained tourists with puppet shows and magic acts.With a restlessness that characterizes him to the present day, he left Elk Falls to return to acting. His credit list includes regional stage productions from New York to Florida to Indiana, and California. After three years in Elk Falls, he recently moved to California in 2013 to live closer to friends.