Whoever came up with this Missouri roadside attraction must have been off their rocker! In 2008, the “World’s Largest Rocking Chair” was erected on historic Route 66 outside the Fanning Outpost General Store in Cuba, Missouri. Though the official title has since been relinquished, and it is now known as the Route 66 Rocker — this big chair still rocks!
Designed by John R. Bland and fabricated by Joe Medwick the chair stands at 42 feet tall and 20 feet wide and weighs 27,500 pounds — it was once the biggest rocker in all of America! It was even Guinness World Record certified as the world’s largest rocker beating out the former champion, Big John in Franklin, Indiana.
Originally painted black and white, the structure is made from welded steel and actually is a fully functioning rocking chair (it had to be in order to secure a Guinness world record), but soon after construction, due to safety concerns (and the sheer terror of watching a 42 foot tall structure sway back and forth) it was firmly bolted in place. Also due to safety concerns: no one is actually allowed to climb up and grab a seat (save for special events like Picture on Rocker Day — where it’s open to the public for photo ops).
In 2015 Missouri’s World’s Largest Rocking Chair was repainted bright red and renamed with a new moniker: Route 66 Red Rocker. While there was no official word, the name change and red rocking chair makeover was most likely due to losing its title as world’s biggest rocking chair. (Currently where is the world’s largest rocking chair located? A new 56.5-foot-tall rocking chair was built in Casey, Illinois and now holds the title of world’s largest rocker.)
Unfortunately, in 2016, the Fanning 66 outpost shuttered its doors and closed up but was eventually bought by a new owner and the former world’s largest rocking chair was painted orange. The giant chair, now known as the Route 66 Rocker or the largest rocking chair on Route 66, is still standing and you can still stop by for a visit.
Whether it’s the world’s largest rocking chair, the Route 66 red rocker, the Route 66 rocker, or the largest rocking chair on Route 66, this Missouri roadside attraction rocks on!
Want to visit more of the best Missouri Route 66 attractions? Also check out these fun stops: SuperTAM on 66, the Precious Moments Chapel, the World’s Largest Fork, and Meramec Caverns.
Route 66 Rocker, World’s Largest Rocking Chair in 2009
Route 66 Rocker (Formerly World’s Largest Rocking Chair, Route 66 Red Rocker)
(Or, the world’s second largest rocking chair)
Location: Fanning Outpost General Store, 5957 Hwy ZZ, Cuba, Missouri
Hours: Always Visible
Cost: Free to See
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Looking for more world’s largest roadside attractions in Missouri? Check out the world’s largest goose and the world’s largest pecan! And, while in Cuba, be sure to peruse the Route 66 murals!
