Franklin, Tennessee: Rusty Mechanism
Rusty is a giant metal man, 20 feet tall, built of old rusted factory parts. He has a heart of gold and a lightbulb inside his head. If you turn his left thumb, his head will turn too.
Factory At Franklin
- Address:
- Liberty Pike, Franklin, TN
- Directions:
- I-65 exit 66. Drive west on Murfreesboro Rd for one mile, then turn right onto Hwy 397/Mack Hatcher Memorial Pkwy. Drive north one mile, then turn left onto Liberty Pike. Drive west one mile. The Factory At Franklin will be on the right; Rusty stands next to the entrance to the building.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
-
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Rusty still stands tall at the side entrance to the Factory, a complex of ten industrial buildings that are being restored one by one. They now house all sorts of locally-owned galleries, art workshops, an antique store, a couple of restaurants, and a theater company. Even if you are not in a shopping mood, stop inside; the renovation has kept the industrial feel and ruggedness to the interior.
Rusty is well documented and is a popular topic of conversation with the shopkeepers.
[casaflamingo, 11/15/2014]
This guy is built to last. Statement piece, covering all the basics: recycling, hard work, and American pride. Worth the stop and easy to find!
[J Bradshaw, 04/10/2014]
Inside the Factory shopping center's lot. Look for the huge water tower marking the spot.
[Mary Helen, 04/01/2010]
He's looking good in 2010. Very cool sculpture -- lots of metal parts put together in a creative way.
[Buzz, 02/03/2010]
Rusty the Metal Man stands in front of The Factory at Franklin (circa-1929 buildings that once served as the Dortch Stove Works, Magic Chef and later the Jamison Bedding Company and is now a historic shopping, dining and entertainment complex). Rusty is made of metal parts which I assume came from the original equipment that was housed inside this factory. Rusty carries a metal lunch pail, wears eyeglasses, and sports a ball cap.
[RegalRed1, 04/24/2009]Page of 2 [Next 2 items]
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Artist Kris Nethercutt spent six years building Rusty. A sign next to the statue lists Rusty's components: his bladder is water tank, his nostrils are car horns, etc.