Quirky AmericaRoadside stops, strange statues, larger than life items, gimmicky signs, quirky architecture -- popping up along America's roads and highways, often bring drivers to a screeching halt, a quick turn around, or, at the very least, an expletive -- "what in hell was that?"
Every now and then, unsuspecting folks see something along a road trip that is just so odd that they just can't believe their eyes. Must have a second look -- must have a photograph -- must have a photograph with "me" in it. Really, is that
Stonehenge in the middle of
Texas? What the heck is hanging from that tree? So, why do I keep seeing huge statues of a blue ox? Why are there dinosaurs everywhere?
Beginning in the days of Henry Ford's Model-T's, travelers began to whiz by faster and faster, overlooking the many vendors and shops trying to peddle their wares. Solution -- build big signs, statues, and other advertising gimmicks luring people to stop. Artists were lured to build along the highways, so that passersby could see their creations. Some, however, just want to build things, not really caring if people stopped to look; hence, the Winchester House in California or a bottle house in Nevada
Most often though, these oddities are built to attract attention, whether it is draw people into a store or bring attention to themselves, their city, or a cause. In any event, these oddities make the drive across America bunches of fun.
