The Basket Building in Ohio. Editorial credit: Kenneth Sponsler / Shutterstock.com

10 Strangest Landmarks in The United States

The United States is truly a fascinating destination as it embodies a vast landmass of diverse cultures, landscapes, climates, and history. In such a captivating place, it’s only natural for there to be some hair-raising features that many would find difficult to understand. Several landmarks of peculiar strangeness are spread out across this gigantic country, stunning every tourist and remaining an enduring puzzle for locals. For instance, America's Stonehenge in New Hampshire is still a mystery, and the Carhenge in Nebraska never ceases to amaze every tourist. When it's time to get away from the ordinary and immerse in a world of peculiarities, these ten strangest landmarks in the U.S. are worth visiting.

World's Largest Rocking Chair, Casey, Illinois

Largest rocking chair in Casey, Illinois.
The World's Largest Rocking Chair in Casey, Illinois. Editorial credit: Larry Porges / Shutterstock.com

The World's Largest Rocking Chair is one of the many unique big things in Casey, Illinois. This structure took several years to complete and proved to be one of the most challenging World Guinness Record attempts ever. The chair stands 56 feet tall and weighs a whopping 46,200 pounds. Even Goliath would be too small to use this massive seat. Interestingly, this chair was built to beat the existing record of the previous World's Largest Rocking Chair, which was located in Cuba, Missouri. In 2015, Jim Bolin, a local businessman, built the iconic chair in Casey, claiming the title. In the meantime, the small town has other big things visitors would love, including the world’s largest wind chill, mailbox, and pitchfork.

Bubblegum Alley, San Luis Obispo, California

Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo, California.
View down Bubblegum Alley in the town of San Luis Obispo, California.

An alley entirely decorated with bubble gum is both eerie and maybe irritating for some. But for those who love the unusual things of life, this alley is a delightful spot to visit and, perhaps, place their chewed gum on its walls. The Bubble Gum Alley in downtown San Luis Obispo, California, is a 15-foot high and 70-foot long alley, with its walls plastered with chewed bubble gums by random people. According to history, the tradition began with a set of graduating high school students in San Luis Obispo after WWII. At the same time, some claim it started as a rivalry between the city's high school students and those of California Polytechnic State University. To ensure the gum graffiti maintains high sanitary standards, it has been washed several times and doesn't look irritating, but it is definitely strange.

America's Stonehenge, Salem, New Hampshire

Stones in America's Stonehenge in Salem, NH.
The "Sacrificial Stone" in America's Stonehenge in Salem, New Hampshire. By Richard Haddad - America's Stonehenge 2016-11-23_13-47-18, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Among the various replicas of England's Stonehenge in the U.S., America's Stonehenge in New Hampshire stands out for its enigmatic origins. Unlike Carhenge in Nebraska, whose builder and purpose are well-documented, this site remains shrouded in mystery. It is believed to date back approximately 4,000 years, but whether it was constructed by Native Americans or early European settlers is still unknown. This man-made marvel spans 30 acres and features an array of stone chambers, caves, walls, grooves, and boulders arranged with apparent purpose. A sacrificial slab on the site hints at ancient rituals, adding to its intrigue. Theories about its creators range from Norsemen and Celts to other Mediterranean cultures, but no definitive evidence has surfaced. Its blend of history and mystery makes it a fascinating destination for curious travelers.

Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz, California

Entrance to The Mystery Spot in California.
People entering The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, California. Editorial credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com

Mystery Spot is one of the quirky locations in California, nestled in the redwood forests of Santa Cruz. It is a gravity hill with a tilted wooden building that inspires a sense of visual illusion and postures that seem to defy the law of gravity. It is possible to take the epic Titanic pose in this building without hinging on anything and several other poses that defy gravity. Other visual illusions here include balls rolling uphill, people standing on tables and leaning forward without falling, and water flowing uphill. Even the ascent uphill creates a false perception of people’s height, and the spot has since been designated a California Historical Landmark.

Area 51, Lincoln County, Nevada

View of Area 51 in Nevada.
View of Area 51 in Lincoln County, Nevada.

Area 51, according to the U.S. government, is a classified Air Force base inside the Nevada Test and Training Range. The facility’s official name is Homey Airport, but all activities in this base are shrouded in secrecy, which has led to a series of conspiracy theories, mostly revolving around extraterrestrial folklore and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). In the 1950s, several flights above and around the perimeter recorded sights of UFO, and some former workers at the site claimed that there was an underground facility near Papoose Lake close to the site. Overall, the purpose of Area 51 and whatever goes on within its borders are still unknown to the public. The rumors of UFOs and extraterrestrial activities with humans even help to cloud the activities on the site in more secrecy, making it one of America's most misunderstood and mysterious landmarks.

The World’s Largest Thermometer, Baker, California

The World's Largest Thermometer in Baker, California.
The World's Largest Thermometer in the town of Baker in California. Editorial credit: mikeledray / Shutterstock.com

Giants have feelings, too, and would probably wish to measure their temperatures occasionally if they ever visit Earth again. Fortunately, the huge thermometer in Baker is ready for the big job. Towering at 134 feet, it proudly holds the title of the tallest thermometer in the world. This remarkable structure was designed to honor the record-breaking temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded on July 10, 1913, in nearby Death Valley. Its height and maximum display pay tribute to this historic event. Local businessman Willis Herron commissioned the thermometer in 1991 to serve as a unique landmark for the area. While it faced challenges in 2012, including high power bills that temporarily caused it to shut down, the thermometer continues to stand tall today, complete with a gift shop at its base.

Four Corners Monument, Arizona

Four Corners Monument in the United States.
People taking photos at the Four Corners Monument in the United States. Editorial credit: Michael Gordon / Shutterstock.com

There are many borders across the U.S., but none compares to the iconic Four Corners. It is the only place in the U.S. where four states meet at a point, and there’s even a monument to mark it. There is so much intrigue and excitement around this spot, which is why over 250,000 people visit it yearly. A family of four can enjoy lunch with each member sitting in a different state, either in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, or Utah. Taking photos is always a must here, as standing in four states at once is a serious bragging right that needs to be recorded in digital form. Other creative ways to experience this monument include placing the four paws of a dog on each state or taking a yoga pose across two states.

The World's Only Corn Palace, Mitchell, South Dakota

The World's Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.
The World's Only Corn Palace in the town of Mitchell, South Dakota. Editorial credit: Rachael Martin / Shutterstock.com

The World's Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, is a bizarre landmark built to commemorate the rich agricultural heritage of South Dakota. True to its name, the murals and exterior design of the building were done using various colors of corn, natural grasses, and other grains. Interestingly, the design is dynamic and changes every year from late August. To further prove that this building is an emblem of the state's rich agricultural climate, a local farmer grows all the corn used to design the murals. Meanwhile, the palace is a multipurpose building, serving as a venue for various sports events, concerts, exhibits, and local events. Each year, between August and September, the palace is celebrated in the Corn Palace Festival, and it hosts the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo every July.

Carhenge, Nebraska

Carhenge in Nebraska.
View of Carhenge in Nebraska.

The Carhenge in Nebraska is the state's tribute to Stonehenge in England as it replicates the original Stonehenge but uses cars instead of large stones. Jim Reinders constructed these structures in 1987 as a memorial to his father. They comprise a series of classic automobiles stacked against each other in a circular form and sprayed with gray color to make them appear rustic like the 4,000-year-old stones in England. Some cars that make up the site include - a 1965 Oldsmobile Delta 88 and a 1967 Pontiac Bonneville. The attraction is open daily and also features other car art sculptures and a gift shop.

The Basket Building, Ohio

View of The Basket Building in Ohio.
View of The Basket Building in Newark, Ohio. Editorial credit: rchat / Shutterstock.com

The Longaberger Company headquarters in Newark, Nebraska, was built in 1997 to reflect and promote the company's handwoven basket line. However, it turned out to be the world's largest basket building at 192 feet long and 126 feet wide. It also has two handles weighing almost 150 tons and can be heated in winter to avoid icing. This building is remarkably unique and looks exactly like a basket, complete with its handle, making it a visual spectacle and architectural wonder. At seven stories tall, its imposing height and staggering structure make it too beautiful and remarkable to go unnoticed while cementing its stance as one of America's strangest or, perhaps, strangely adorable landmarks. The building has been sold off to a private investor, and there are plans to convert it into a luxury hotel. If these plans do not involve altering its design, then it will continue to be one of America’s most eye-catching landmarks.

Conclusion

The U.S. has everything travelers would ever long for in a destination. From natural wonders to historic marvels, this country has it all. It also has quite a number of sites that will leave many scratching their heads. If you’re bored visiting popular attractions like the Great Smoky Mountains and Grand Canyon National Park, rekindle that fire of curiosity today by visiting the strangest attractions in America that combine oddness with excitement.

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