Gomer, Ohio: Polar Explorer Crash Marker
One-of-a-kind giant vehicle, built in 1939, was designed to be tough enough for the Antarctic, but spent three days stuck in a creek in Ohio. The site of this embarrassing technology fail has its own historical marker.
- Address:
- 3550 Lincoln Hwy, Gomer, OH
- Directions:
- I-30 exit onto OH-115 (Lima, Kalida). Turn north, drive a quarter-mile, then turn left (no stoplight) onto the old Lincoln Hwy. Drive two miles. Historical marker on the right.
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A polar vehicle from Admiral Byrd's exploration team crashed in this small farm town on a tour of the states, promoting the success of the group.
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The "Antarctic Snow Cruiser" -- nicknamed "The Penguin" and "The Igloo on Wheels" -- weighed 40 tons and had 10-foot-high tires. Despite its supposed toughness, it was stuck in a little creek in Gomer for three days. It proved equally useless for travel in the Antarctic. The historical marker was erected on the 75th anniversary of its Gomer crash on Oct. 28, 1939.