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Oglesby, Illinois: Woody the Root Beer Man

Woody is an A&W Papa Burger statue from the 1960s. He's outlived several businesses in a couple of different towns.

The Root Beer Stand

Address:
225 N. Columbia Ave., Oglesby, IL
Directions:
The Root Beer Stand. I-39 exit 54, then east into town on Walnut St., then left for two blocks on Columbia Ave./Hwy 71/351.
Phone:
815-883-9254
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Visitor Tips and News About Woody the Root Beer Man

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Santa Woody, 2023.

Woody the Root Beer Man

Woody is all decked out for the season!

[Barb Unruh, 12/22/2023]

Root Beer man.

Woody the Root Beer Man

Very good root beer, and close to the highway, too!

[Bunches The Bear, 07/21/2011]

Root Beer Man.

Woody the Root Beer Man

Woody the Root Beer Man is cute, and the people who work at The Root Beer Stand are really friendly.

[Shannon, 11/02/2010]

Feb. 2010: Tracey reports "Woody lost his mug during the Feb 02, 2011 storm, however the owner found it. Poor Woody!"

Root Beer Man.

Woody the Root Beer Man

We just stopped for some photos in Oglesby - near Starved Rock State Park. The drive-in is now called - "The Root Beer Stand." Woody was there - holding his root beer and hamburger. How fun!

[Tim Jewett and Dana McDonnell, 06/02/2009]

Woody.

Woody the Root Beer Man

Streator, Illinois, is home to two famous vintage family owned root beer stands. One is Woody's, located on the north end of town on highway 23. For decades, standing proud in front of Woody's is the Woody man who greets you as you enter the city. Through the decades, the Woody man has been moved at night to different parts of the city by overzealous fans. No longer! The Woody man is now chained to the Woody's sign in front of the restaurant. I have no clue how the Woody man received the brown nose.

[Rich, 02/24/2001]

Owner Richard Wood died in 2003. The stand remained vacant for five years before the family donated Woody (the statue) to another take-out stand 25 miles away in Oglesby.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Peter Toth Giant Indian HeadPeter Toth Giant Indian Head, Oglesby, IL - 4 mi.
Star Trek Vulcan HandStar Trek Vulcan Hand, Peru, IL - 4 mi.
Sapp Bros. Pot of Coffee SignSapp Bros. Pot of Coffee Sign, Peru, IL - 6 mi.
In the region:
Courthouse Dome, Bloomington, IL - 57 mi.

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