Reports, news, and stories on quirky roadside attractions! Not all tips verified -- call ahead! Submit your own tip.
Results 1 to 5 of 134... Page of 27 [Next 5 items]
- Agoura Hills, California - Statue of Chief White Eagle
Jean de Strelecki was an immigrant who claimed to be a Polish count. In 1939 he began sculpting a 14-foot-tall, 13-ton Indian out of concrete, atop a hill he named "Mt Estrella" in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking US 101. Exactly why he did this is a mystery, although some speculate that he was inspired when he heard of a local resort named Seminole Hot Springs. Even if this were true, the Indian that he sculpted --- which he named Chief White Eagle -- looks nothing like a Seminole, who lived thousands of miles away, nor does it resemble the Chumash, who actually lived around here. Instead, de Strelecki sculpted a stern-faced Plains Indian wearing a heavy robe and a flowing feathered headdress.
During the construction, Native American celebrities Jay Silverheels (an actor who played Tonto) and Iron Eyes Cody (who starred as a crying Indian in a famous "don't pollute" commercial), drove over from Hollywood and signed the wet cement, leaving their handprints as well. When de Strelecki unveiled the statue on May 5, 1940, he made sure that a group of local Indians were on hand to witness the event. They were reportedly honored by his good intentions, and politely kept their opinion of his artwork to themselves.
[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 06/08/2007]Statue of Chief White Eagle:- Address:
- Lewis Rd, Agoura Hills, CA
- Directions:
- Atop "Mt Estrella" above the intersection of Lewis and Agoura Rds. US 101 exit 35. Drive south on Palo Comado Canyon Rd to Chesebro Rd. Turn right onto Agoura Rd, then left onto Lewis Rd and drive up the hill. On private property, behind fence. Be considerate, ask at house for permission to visit the statue.
A warren of exhibits displayed by a couple in thrall of bunnies. Over 45,000 rabbit-related items.
Roadsideamerica.com Report...
- Address:
- 2605 Lake Ave., Altadena, CA
- Directions:
- On the west side of Lake Ave., just north of its intersection with E. Altadena Drive. Shares building with the Open Road Bicycle Shop.
- Hours:
- M-Sa 12-5:30, Su 12-4:30 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 626-798-8848
- Admission:
- Adults $12.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
Big Statues Of Country Music Stars Now Stand Outside A Country Music Star's Restaurant
Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California -- on Buck Owens Blvd. -- recently unveiled larger-than-life bronze statues of ten country music and rockabilly stars: Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Buck Owens, Elvis Presley, George Strait, Hank Williams Jr., and Bob Willis. The Crystal Palace is where 75-year-old Buck and his pals still perform, as well as being a Planet Hollywood-style museum/restaurant. Bakersfield is "the country music capital of the West" and the Crystal Palace recently won the Nightclub of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music, even before Buck installed the statues.
Update: Buck Owen died in 2006.
[06/05/2005]Buck Owens Crystal Palace
- Address:
- 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., Bakersfield, CA
- Directions:
- Buck Owens Crystal Palace. Hwy 99 exit east at Buck Owens Boulevard. Statues are in the Palace foyer and hallways.
- Phone:
- 661-328-7560
They were absolutely still there when I was road-tripping from Vegas back to North Hollywood after Labor Day weekend. I have spent ridiculous amounts of time trying to figure out if they were created for Wasteland, which is held a few miles west of there. I'm glad to have found this site to explain them.
[Karina Wright, 01/28/2016]Vehicles from Hell:- Address:
- 30939 E. Hwy 58, Barstow, CA
- Directions:
- I-15 exit 186. Drive west for 1.5 miles on Old Hwy 58, about 200 yards down the street from the drive-in movie theater on corner of Old Hwy 58 and Soap Mine Rd. Displayed behind a fence.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
Across the street from the restaurant is the 76 gas station that was the scene of the bird attack and explosion that was Capitol Oil in the movie. Much of this scene was filmed in Hollywood backlot and distances were compressed, so it is difficult to know how much was actually filmed on location here.
[NomadikCulture, 04/10/2019]"The Birds" Movie Restaurant:- Address:
- 835 Highway One, Bodega Bay, CA
- Directions:
- Bay Hwy and Harbor View Way.
- Phone:
- 707-875-3652
Page of 27 [Next 5 items]