Off to see the Wizard? Following the Yellow Brick Road? Or…maybe just taking stroll through Chicago? Before you click your red heels together to return home, take a trip to Oz, Oz Park in Chicago, Illinois, a Wizard of Oz-themed park. Oz Park is a public park in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago that…
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This is the world’s largest film camera, as seen outside of Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago, Illinois in 2014. This attraction was only there briefly, so you can’t find it there now, but, while it was on display, this giant camera was a wonderful site to see and attracted visitors all day long. Dennis Manarchy,…
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This giant fiberglass Muffler Man and Bessie the Cow stands outside of Lambs Farm in Libertyville, Illinois. Lambs Farm is a non-profit organization that provides vocational and residential services for adults with developmental disabilities. The property features a petting zoo, pet shop, thrift shop, country store, cafe and bakery… and this roadside attraction. …
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This super shiny muffler man in Evergreen Park, Illinois stands on top of Guardian Auto Rebuilders. He sports a sleek coat of car paint that gives him that extra sparkle. These photos were taken long ago but rumor has it he now carries a hockey stick!
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The giant cigar store Indian outside of Cardinal Liquor Barn in Oak Lawn, Illinois is known by locals as “Big Chief.” And, he’s kind of a big deal. The Indian was built by a company called Creative Display in the 1970s. It was originally constructed as an attraction for a cigar store in nearby Chicago…
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They were quick photos. Late at night. We were taking a day road trip around Chicagoland and this was one of the final stops. A giant Indian on the roof of an eye clinic. There were cops nearby and we didn’t want to feed a meter. So we hopped out of the car, snapped a…
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Antonio Pasin built his first wooden wagon in 1917. They quickly became popular amongst his clients as he sold the toys around Chicagoland. In 1923, his company was officially born as “Liberty Coaster Company” and, to speed up production and offset costs, he began selling steel versions. In 1930 the company was renamed Radio Steel…
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Many towns in America profess themselves to be a “home of the white squirrels”: pockets of suburbia where these curious albino squirrels seem to congregate. Olney, Illinois is one of the most boastful. About 200 or so of the tiny mammals currently inhabit the town. At its peak though, there were around 1,000. Every fall…
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This past Saturday was Obscura Day, a day devoted to hidden and odd treasures from around the world, organized by Atlas Obscura. Since you all know I’m all about the odd you all know I had to attend something! There were several events around Chicago, such as a tour of the Busy Beaver Button Company…
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I saw this in the news the other day: the famous “Ferris Bueller house” is for sale. You know Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, right? And you definitely know the iconic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Garage, right? If you’ve never seen the movie, well, GO WATCH IT NOW! (Amazon affiliate link) I’ll wait. Promise. One of…
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