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Former World’s Largest Horseshoe in Martinsville, Illinois

Hold your horses and check this roadside attraction out! The big horseshoe is Martinsville, Illinois was once the world’s largest horseshoe. But this was no one-horse race, so while it has lost its official title, don’t put this one out to pasture just yet.

Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction

Located at the entrance to the Martinsville fairgrounds, the giant horseshoe measures 5-feet 8 inches by 4 feet ⅝ inch and weighs 1,144 pounds! This big object is made from ductile iron and fabricated in the exact shape and proportion of a horseshoe of normal size.

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction

Martinsville is a close neighbor to Casey, Illinois, a small town known for its big roadside attractions. Being so close to the likes of the World’s Largest Rocking Chair and World’s Largest Mailbox, the town harnessed its Clark County neighbor’s popularity to put their big thing among its ranks.

Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction

The town chose to create a big horseshoe to celebrate their rich history of horse racing (among other things, Martinsville is the hometown of Dale Baird, a thoroughbred horse racing trainer who won the most races in the sport). It was created and donated by the Rowe Foundry of Martinsville and is displayed next to large metal silhouettes of thoroughbred and standardbred horses created and donated by Yargus Manufacturing of Marshall. 

Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction

The Illinois roadside attraction was on the fast track to fame when it was verified by Guinness World Records in June 2013. Unfortunately, only two years later in 2015, a large rival in Kentucky became the front runner, came from behind, and stole the title with on that measures 6 feet, 9.1 inches wide and 6 feet, 11.8 inches tall and weighs 610 pounds (larger, but lighter, than the one inMartinsville). A year after that in 2016, both were beat by a 7 foot 9 8.91 inch by 8 foot 1.24 inch horseshoe in Mumbai, India.

You heard this straight from the horse’s mouth. It’s time for me to get back in the saddle and ride on to the next roadside attraction (perhaps the Big Anvil, the Big Rocking Horse, or the Big Toy Glider Plane).

Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction
Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction
Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction
Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction
Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction
Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction
Former world's largest horseshoe in Casey, Illinois roadside attraction

Spend the night in Casey! Find the best Casey Illinois Hotels and find out where to stay to see big things!


Former World’s Largest Horseshoe

Address: Martinsville Agricultural Fairgrounds, 620 S York St, Martinsville, IL 62442
Cost: Free to See
Hours: Always visible, fairground hours may vary


Pin this Illinois roadside attraction:

Hold your horses and check this roadside attraction out! The big horseshoe is Martinsville, Illinois was once the world’s largest horseshoe. But this was no one-horse race, so while it has lost its official title, don’t put this one out to pasture just yet.  #IllinoisRoadsideAttractions #IllinoisRoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadTrip #IllinoisRoadTrip #IllinoisWeekendGetaways #IllinoisWithKids #IllinoisRoadTripTravel
Hold your horses and check this roadside attraction out! The big horseshoe is Martinsville, Illinois was once the world’s largest horseshoe. But this was no one-horse race, so while it has lost its official title, don’t put this one out to pasture just yet. #IllinoisRoadsideAttractions #IllinoisRoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadTrip #IllinoisRoadTrip #IllinoisWeekendGetaways #IllinoisWithKids #IllinoisRoadTripTravel
Hold your horses and check this roadside attraction out! The big horseshoe is Martinsville, Illinois was once the world’s largest horseshoe. But this was no one-horse race, so while it has lost its official title, don’t put this one out to pasture just yet.

VALerie BROMANN

Founder & Head Road Tripper

Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up near Berwyn's famed car kabob, The Spindle, and a restaurant with a cow on its roof, her fascination with roadside attractions started early. Today, Val has visited hundreds roadside attractions across the United States and is constantly on the lookout for the next BIG thing!

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.