Mecca, California: International Banana Museum (Closed)
Fruit collecting guy went bananas, then Fred Garbutt bought the collection and became its worthy successor. He opened the museum next to his family's liquor store in November 2012. Over 25,000 banana-theme items. Banana Robot outside served as photo-op and sign.
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"People come here to see strange things" is how curator/owner Fred explains the a-peel (sorry, expect more puns, how can I resist?) of slipping the International Banana Museum into a dusty corner off of the Salton Sea. He has a point.
Further south is a bunch of roadside attractions, like Salvation Mountain, Bombay Beach, Slab City, the mud pots and Obsidian Butte, and let us not forget the Calipatria flagpole. Then there is the Sea itself, with relics of long-gone resorts along the shores, juxtaposed with fish-boned beaches and wildlife refuges.
But the International Banana Museum is so much better than those other attractions. For one, you can get a Bananas Foster shake. It is also air conditioned, and Fred is an amiable fellow who is worthy of a good chat. Plus, bananas. Everywhere. Fred has obviously put a lot of thought into his museum. It's small, but nearly every space, including the ceiling vents and crossbeams, is adorned with some kind of banana-themed paraphernalia. Not just plastered with no rhyme or reason; he obviously enjoys the idea of a banana museum and showcases them nicely.
It is open late, but I think only Friday through Monday, until dark the hours say, and if the door is locked, the store next door will call Fred up and he'll be there quickly in his banana yellow VW bug. The stop can be for just a few minutes to pick up a souvenir, or stay awhile to really soak it up and investigate the sheer mass of ways people have been creative with bananas.
[Katherine Zander, 05/08/2014]The Banana Museum has relocated from Altadena to main street, between 2nd and 3rd in Hesperia. It is very nice, well laid out and was very enjoyable.
[joyce richardson, 06/06/2006][Previous 5 items] Page of 3
International Banana Museum
- Directions:
- Nine miles south of Mecca, on the southbound side of Hwy 111. Look for the old-style Skip's Liquor sign; the museum is in the building next to it.
- Hours:
- 2020-2022: Closed during pandemic, future TBD.
- Status:
- Closed
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Owner and founder Ken Bannister has been collecting bananabilia since 1972. The museum -- the largest in the world devoted to a single fruit -- has 17,000 items on display, including a petrified banana and Tammy Faye Baker's degree in Bananerology.
Update: The Banana Museum is being kicked out of its rent-free space at the end of March 2010. Unless a new space can be found, the museum is expected to close.