You may have to travel a few back roads to find a peach-shaped water tower in America or a barn housing thousands of bricks. These roadside oddities aren’t just quirky tourist traps for small-town charm, they’re record-holding landmarks that attract visitors who like things a little unusual.
While big cities often flex their muscles with skyscrapers and highbrow museums, small towns around the nation hold some of the oddest “largest” and “only” records you’ll find. Check out 13 record-breakers hidden in small-town America.
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World’s largest ball of twine – Cawker City, Kansas
Cawker City, Kansas, claims to be home to one of the oddest roadside attractions in the country: a mammoth ball of twine. It all began with a farmer named Frank Stoeber who, in 1953, began wrapping discarded sisal twine (left over from binding corn fields) around an existing ball.
By 1957, the ball had grown to 5,000 pounds. Farmer Stoeber continued the work until his death in 1974, when the duty was passed on to the local townspeople. In August of each year, the town celebrates a “Twine-A-Thon” where people have added so much twine that the ball now weighs almost 27,000 pounds. It is still growing.
World’s largest rubber band ball – Lauderhill, Florida
Back in Lauderhill, Florida, Joel Waul spent years piling rubber bands together until he had something the world had never seen before. He named it Megaton, and on November 13, 2008, he was officially recognized by Guinness as the largest rubber band ball in the world. When he finished, it weighed approximately 9,032 pounds (4,103 kg) and was over six feet tall. Made of over 700,000 bands, it measured 23 feet (7 m) around and went on tour with Ripley’s Believe It or Not! as one of their major attractions.
World’s largest collection of salt and pepper shakers – Traer, Iowa
If you happen to find yourself in Traer, Iowa, don’t miss a visit to the Salt & Pepper Shaker Gallery. It has the largest collection of salt and pepper shakers on public display in the Midwest with over 16,000 pairs. Each one is different, including huggers, hangers, nodders and nesters. The gallery has become a surprising local attraction, pulling in travelers from across the region.
World’s largest beer can collection – Madison, Wisconsin
Beer lovers and collectors take note: Madison, Wisconsin, is home to the world’s largest beer can collection. There, William B. Christensen has 75,000 cans on display. The assortment features 50 years of beer can designs.
World’s largest collection of matchbook covers – Seattle, Washington
Who knew matchbook covers could have such an interesting history? Seattle resident Ed Brassard has collected over 3.1 million in his lifetime, with samples dating back decades of the matchbook industry and its advertisers. Guinness World Records has deemed Brassard’s matchbook cover collection as the largest in the world.
World’s largest teddy bear collection – Rapid City, South Dakota
A hobby has turned into a world record for South Dakota. Jackie Miley has 8,026 teddy bears. Her collection is the largest in the world according to Guinness World Records. Teddy Bear Town in Hill City displays her large collection. Visitors flock to South Dakota to enjoy her teddy bears.
World’s largest mailbox – Casey, Illinois
Casey, Illinois, is a town that likes to think big, so it’s only fitting that the world’s biggest mailbox is perched above the street. The real kicker is that it’s not just a decorative mailbox. It’s fully functional, so if you toss in a postcard, it will be delivered just like a regular mailbox. It’s just one of Casey’s “Big Things Small Town” collection, which you will see in the next slides.
World’s largest rocking chair – Casey, Illinois
Casey, Illinois, also has an interesting rocking chair. It stands 56 feet 1 inch tall, is nearly 33 feet wide, and weighs over 46,000 pounds. Guinness certified the chair as the world’s largest in October 2015. Built by Jim Bolin, it is no longer in working condition but still attracts visitors who like to take photos standing under it.
World’s largest golf tee – Casey, Illinois
The little town of Casey, Illinois, has another big claim to fame: the world’s tallest golf tee. Towering 30 feet, it’s part of the “Big Things in a Small Town” initiative, which celebrates quirky, oversized objects. The tee has become a must-see for travelers exploring Casey’s unique roadside attractions.
World’s largest wind chime – Casey, Illinois
At 56 feet, Casey’s giant wind chime is hard to miss. Belonging to the town’s collection of over-sized items, the chime offers a deep, resonant tone. Visitors from far and wide enjoy seeing this unique, interactive attraction.
World’s largest six-pack – La Crosse, Wisconsin
The six 54-foot-tall beer tanks constructed in 1969 by the G. Heileman Brewing Company look like gigantic Old Style Lager cans. With a combined capacity of approximately 688,200 gallons (about 7.3 million cans), they were designed as a practical storage solution, as well as an in-your-face marketing ploy.
Museum of root beer – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells is the place to be if you love root beer. The Museum of Root Beer opened in May 2021, and contains over 2,000 bottles, signs, tap handles and packaging. Owner Vince Payne started collecting when he was a child and has brought root beer’s fascinating history back to life.
World’s largest collection of bricks — Tulsa, Oklahoma
Most people don’t think much about bricks, but Clem Reinkemeyer does. The Tulsa resident has been collecting them from around the world for more than 40 years. As of 2023, his collection contains 8,882 of the items, which won him a Guinness World Record. His oldest brick is believed to be from around AD 100 and is from Rome.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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