Roadside Ohio: Larger Than Life

Giant Tomato Soup Can, Napoleon
This larger-than-life testament to one of America’s most nostalgic companies can be found in northwest Ohio. Located off state route 110, the giant can of Campbell’s tomato soup can sits on the site of the company’s manufacturing facility in Napoleon, which is one of three factories in the U.S. that is still canning Campbell’s soup varieties. The 33-foot-tall, 33-foot-wide “can” is a in fact a water reserve for the building’s sprinkler system. It would take 2,178,645 regular sized cans of Campbell’s soup to fill the giant can, which can hold up to 200,000 gallons. While the can is visible from the road, it is located behind a fence, about a quarter mile from the main entrance. 12773 St. Rte. 110, Napoleon 43545


America’s Largest Outdoor Chandelier, Cleveland
Cleveland’s Playhouse Square is home to four main historic theaters, but it wasn’t until 2014, however, that the crown jewel of the neighborhood was put on display. When America’s Largest Outdoor Chandelier came to town, it was a wonder for all to behold, much to the chagrin of the Cleveland traffic officials, who worried that it would create a distraction for drivers. The structure, which holds 4,200 acrylic crystals, hangs at the intersection of East 14th Street and Euclid Avenue and is a popular spot for photos and proposals. 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 44115, 216/241-6000, playhousesquare.org


Apple Water Tower, Jackson 
This tribute to the rich agriculture heritage of Jackson, Ohio stands high above the streets near the town’s main intersection. The oversize apple was painted in 1957 as a year-round nod to the Jackson Apple Festival, held annually in September since 1937. Though the town that once had 40 apple orchards now only has one, Jackson’s apple heritage has remained. This gigantic apple water tower is a testament to the strength of the agricultural town of just 6,500 residents. Church and Water Streets, Jackson 45640, 740/286-3224, jacksonohio.us


Big Muskie’s Bucket, McConnelsville
Big Muskie was a gargantuan dragline that worked the coal fields of southeast Ohio beginning in the late 1960s. When it’t time came to an end in 1991, the enormous piece of machinery was decommissioned and dismantled. Today, just the bucket of the enormous piece of machinery has been preserved and displayed as the centerpiece of Miner’s Memorial Park in Morgan County outside the village of McConnelsville. Big Muskie’s Bucket is a draw for visitors of all ages and makes or a memorable photo opportunity. 4470 St. Rte. 78, McConnelsville 43756, ohiodnr.gov


Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees), Dublin
On a drive along Rings Road in Dublin, keep an eye out for an unusual art display on the side of the road that was installed as a tribute to the farmers who once worked the land in this now-suburban part of Columbus: an astounding 109 concrete ears of corn, each over 6-feet-tall and weighing in at 1,500 pounds, stand in neat rows. Ohio artist Malcolm Cochran created the installation in 1993 on a plot of land that once belonged to Sam and Eulalia Frantz, farmers who worked with Ohio State University to hybridize corn. 4995 Rings Rd., Dublin 43017



Gospel Hill Lighthouse, Warsaw 
Visit the world’s Largest working inland lighthouse, which is surrounded by the farmland and forests of Coshocton County. Standing at 74 feet, the beaming building was conceptualized in 1976, when local pastor Ron Davis decided to build a lighthouse to represent the Gospel Hill Ministry founded in 1973. Since its completion in 2002, it has served as a place of prayer, as visitors guests can gather and hold worship meetings or small weddings in the structure. The lighthouse has drawn visitors from 41 states and 19 countries. 27610 Twp. Rd. 45, Warsaw 43844, 740/824-3300, gospelhillministry.org


Horse and Buggy Sculpture, Mesopotamia 
Head across the road from the Trumbull County village of Mesopotamia’s historic End of the Commons General Store to check out this interesting, 14-foot-tall wooden sculpture that depicts an Amish horse and buggy. Peter Schaden, the owner of the general store, gave the horse a grazing area across the street from his business after discovering artist Chris McConnell building the horse sculpture in the front yard of his own own home. The buggy was added to represent the local Amish community, and the sculpture continually inspires passersby to stop for a quick photo . 8719 St. Rte. 534, Mesopotamia 44439, 440/693-4295, endofthecommons.com

World’s Largest Basket, Newark
Take a picnic outing under the shadow of the World’s Largest Basket in Newark. The Longaberger Co. moved its headquarters here from Dresden, Ohio, in 1994, when its founder, Dave Longaberger, came up with the idea for the whimsical building to hold his business’ corporate offices. Columbus-based architecture firm NBBJ accepted the task and built the building to resemble Longaberger’s medium market baskets. The intricately designed basket features two 75-ton handles and grooves to mimic the intricate weaving patterns of the baskets. The building still stands today, although The Longaberger Co. filed for bankruptcy in 2018. 1350 W. Main St., Newark 43055, 740/322-5000, longaberger.com


World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, Sugarcreek
The oversize Cuckoo clock that now sits in the middle of downtown Sugarcreek earned gained immortality on the cover of the 1978 Guinness Book of World Records. Measuring 23 1/2 feet high, 24 feet wide and 6 1/2 feet deep, the clock features seasonal polka performances every half hour. Originally located at Wilmot’s Alpa Alpine restaurant, time and wear made the clock inoperable, and it was sold at auction in 2009, after the restaurant closed. The then-mayor of Sugarcreek purchased the clock for the town, which is colloquially known as, “Little Switzerland,” and led a two-year effort to have the clock installed and fully functioning. Main and North Broadway streets, Sugarcreek 44681


World's Largest Matchstick, Wadsworth
Located in Wadsworth, Ohio, this 18-foot-tall matchstick is erected downtown and lit each year for the annual Blue Tip Festival, a reminder of the patented, blue-tipped matches that the Ohio Match Co. once made in town. The company began manufacturing the matches in 1895 but in 1987 the company’s operation flickered out. (The Blue Tip Festival has stood strong as a tradition since it's inception in 1972.) Once the world’s largest wooden match distributor, the Ohio Match Co. serves as a point of pride for the city of Wadsworth and an important part of the community’s history. Memorial Park, 274 Grandview Ave., Wadsworth 44282, bluetipfestival.com


World’s Tallest Our Lady of Guadalupe, Windsor
When Ed and Patricia Heinz’s son was 4 years old, he told his parents he had a conversation with the Virgin Mary at a nativity scene while they were living in the United Kingdom. The boy told his parents she asked them to go back to the family’s farm in Ohio and wait. Ed and Patricia believed their son, so they bought back the farm, making the land a place for gathering and giving thanks. Today, the Servant of Mary Center for Peace sits on the land under a 50-foot-tall statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Texas professor Richard Hyslin built the statue. Dedicated in 1995, it is believed to be the world’s tallest Our Lady of Guadalupe. 6601 Ireland Rd., Windsor 44099, 440/272-5380, servantsofmary.org

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More Roadside Ohio: Bizzare Homes | Food Finds | Gravesites, Memorials and Monuments | Larger Than Life | Man-Made Marvels | Unusual Museums and Objects | Wildlife & Natural Wonders