The Facebook group ‘Roadside America - Offbeat Quirky Tourist Attractions’ is where people share these unusual landmarks—everything from a giant buffalo statue to a whimsical Dr. Seuss museum. We’ve sifted through their posts to bring you some of the best and most eccentric tourist spots. Check them out below and don’t forget to upvote your favorites! In fact, “the weirder the better,” the group insists. A UFO-shaped house? Brilliant. A miniature Taco Bell? Absolutely. The world’s tallest barber pole? What could be more fitting? Perhaps an enormous rubber duck—you’ll find it in Indiana, by the way. It seems the imagination of Americans knows no limits when it comes to these curious roadside attractions. As the number of passenger cars in the U.S. grew—between 1919 and 1929 it jumped from 6.5 million to 23 million—the existing infrastructure became overwhelmed. To accommodate this boom, the government undertook massive road construction projects, completing over 10,000 miles of roadway improvements in 1922 alone. Highways spread across the country, including the famous Route 66 built in 1929, and small towns needed a way to catch the eyes of passing motorists. They responded by building restaurants, motels, coffee shops, and unique attractions to stand out and draw travelers in. In the 1950s, the Guinness World Records began publishing its books, sparking a wave of competition among towns to create the largest ball-shaped attractions. Nebraskans built the world’s largest ball of stamps, while Kansans and Minnesotans engaged in a decades-long battle over who could create the world’s largest ball of twine. In later years, similar competitions emerged over the world’s largest ball of rubber bands, tape, and even barbed wire. Initially named Elephant Bazaar, the structure was built to attract real estate customers who could view the city’s skyline from the elephant’s carriage, which now serves as an observation deck for modern-day visitors during tours. Lucy supposedly got her name in 1902. The structure was sold to Anton Gertzen of Philadelphia in 1887 and remained in his family until 1970. It is believed that Anton’s daughter-in-law, Sophia Gertzen, renamed it Lucy. By the 1960s, Lucy was in a very poor state and was scheduled for demolition. However, the local community rallied to save her, and she was renovated in the 1970s. Lucy’s birthday is celebrated each year on July 20 with a fundraising event, keeping this beloved roadside attraction alive. Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
