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- Chicago, Illinois - Father Marquette with Swastikas
Large, upright monument is completely out of place, standing on a battered sidewalk in a run-down industrial neighborhood. It honors Father Jacques Marquette. Swastikas bookend his name; the monument was erected in 1930, before swastikas became synonymous with Nazis.
Roadsideamerica.com Report...
- Address:
- 2631 S. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL
- Directions:
- In an industrial neighborhood, on the east side of S. Damen Ave., south of S. Blue Island Ave. and just north of the bridge across the canal.
Rasmus Christian Petersen died on August 3, 1952. He was 66, and who knows how much longer he would have lived had he not spent the last 17 years of his life hauling tons of rocks. Rasmus built the elaborate Petersen Rock Garden, one of America's most popular attractions in the years just after World War II, which is still open today. This one-man mineral fantasy world has tower bridges, a version of the U.S. Capitol and Philadelphia's Independence Hall, and a Statue of Liberty with a light bulb torch. In front of the statue is what must have been Rasmus's dark-edged philosophy: "Enjoy Yourself: It is Later Than You Think." Petersen Rock Garden was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. In a sense Rasmus gained immortality by working himself to death. He had fun doing it, we hope.
[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 08/03/2022]Petersen Rock Garden:RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
- Address:
- 7930 SW 77th St., Redmond, OR
- Directions:
- Midway between Bend and Redmond. From US 97 turn north on SW 61st St., then left on Young Ave. Cross Canal Blvd and then quickly turn right on SW 77th St. The Garden is less than a mile on the right.
- Hours:
- Sa-Su 10-6 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 541-300-5699
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
This granite marker was supposed to be the milestone from which all road distances in the U.S. would be reckoned. It also marks the start of two historical (and bad) road trips, one by the U.S. Army, the other by a U.S. President.
Roadsideamerica.com Report...
- Address:
- E St. NW, Washington, DC
- Directions:
- On the north edge of The Ellipse, where it meets E Street NW. Just west of the National Christmas Tree, and just south of the White House.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
- Tyndall, South Dakota - America's Oldest Eiffel Tower
100 feet tall and spindly; it's a fanciful flagpole, erected in 1898. Stands in front of the courthouse of Bon Homme County, whose French name may explain why it was made.
Roadsideamerica.com Report...
- Address:
- W. Cherry St., Tyndall, SD
- Directions:
- West of downtown, in front of the county courthouse, on the north side of W. Cherry St. between N. Washington and Holly Sts.
Once again, Roadside America takes me to amazing places. How cool is it to stumble through Seneca Falls, New York and find the bridge that inspired the movie "It's A Wonderful Life."
[Brian From Rockland County NY, 10/15/2021]Bridge That Inspired "It's A Wonderful Life":- Address:
- Bridge St., Seneca Falls, NY
- Directions:
- US Hwy 20 into town. Drive to 161 Fall St., turn south onto S. Walnut St., and you'll see the bridge straight ahead. Off-street parking at either end of the bridge (It's a short bridge). The film plaque is bolted to the superstructure at the end of the bridge; the 1917 plaque is bolted to the railing along the pedestrian walkway on the east side of the bridge.
- Admission:
- Free
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