If you like covered bridges you'll love the Cumberland County Covered Bridge…read more Built in 1832 it stood strong until 1865 when the original bridge was washed out by a storm. It was then reconstructed in 1875 only to be washed out yet again in 1912. In 1920, the bridge was replaced once more and held out until 1996, when it was wiped out yet again. In 2000, the Cumberland County Covered Bridge, as it is now known today, was built to replicate the original version from 1832.

Much like my thoughts about the World's Largest Rocking Chair, I visited the World's Largest Wind…read moreChime thinking: "Yes, it looks like a wind chime, but if it doesn't chime, can it really be the world's largest wind chime?" I went in a hater, but I left a believer, because the World's Largest Wind Chime actually chimes! There's a rope that you can pull that moves the piece. It makes a satisfying tinny sound. That's all I needed to hear. This really is the World's Largest Wind Chime. The World's Largest Wind Chime is one of the "world's largest" items that you can see in Casey, Illinois. This small town is full of large things, and this wind chime is one of them. If I were creating a town full of large things, I'm not sure I would think to include a wind chime. That seems like a random thing to make big, but what do I know? I function from a place of regular-sized things, and my mind has not been opened to the possibilities of large things on a global scale. There is lots of street parking near the wind chime, so it's easy to get to and there's no excuse to not see it!

hot take, i think it's only worth stopping if you're passing through or it's a short detour rather…read morethan making a whole trip for it. the wind chime is honestly underwhelming, it looks very cool but the sound is rather dull. the teeter totter was not being operated, it was a saturday at "opening" time. the pitchfork is a few minutes down the road (have to drive) and is held together by 4 painted ratchet straps. it is neat, but not worth planning a whole day as there's only really a couple hours of things to do/look at and that's with taking your sweet time.

It was only a matter of time. The Mug Tree was an old tree. Mugs were placed with it and that…read morebrought it alive again in our hearts. Many, many mugs. Travelers along the highway admired that old tree, adorned with mugs. It offered a silent respite in our daily lives. It offered hope, that no matter what pains we carried, there was the Mug Tree. The Mug Tree, which was created out of the generosity of hundreds of people, most likely strangers to each other, but friends with a common goal of taking an old, dead tree along a country highway and giving it purpose, once more. The Mug Tree. A local landmark, never to be recognized as a national monument. Unlike the more famous curiosities just a few miles north in Casey, this oddity stood outside of the door to fame. Yet, to those of us who passed by, it stood for years alongside that country highway, day and night. Like an old trusted friend. So, to those who read these words and never knew the Mug Tree, I am sorry for your loss. And to those thousands of travelers that passed by and noticed, if you grieve, you grieve not alone. Dear Mug Tree: So long, my friend. Thanks for all the smiles you brought to our hearts.

So... It was fun to see this tree in passing on the way to Effingham but I felt like the house on…read moretop could've been utilized for birds or something.

Highly recommend taking a trip out to the small unique town. There's plenty very large things check…read moreout like a giant mail box or a rocking chair. Some solid restaurants are available as well but they do seem to close early. People are friendly and more than willing to take a photo of you standing in front of a giant taco.

Me and my family had a really, really good time. We really enjoyed going into mini shops.read more

This museum has been open for many years now, and sadly not many people know that this even exists!…read moreOf course, if you're into deep local history...then this is for you. History as in the National Historic Road. The road that was envisioned by our Founding Fathers (mainly George Washington and Thomas Jefferson) as a way from settlers to move from the East to the West...or at least the Midwest, in this case. The road, originally known as the Cumberland Road, started in Cumberland, Maryland, and ended right in Vandalia, Illinois. There has been a lot of debate over historical accuracy, based on the road actually ending in East St. Louis. The museum is open every day except Sunday, during the daytime. There is an attendant usually present. Museum is kind of small, with a couple rooms to go in (such as a theater), but you get a lot of cool information while you're there. You can also chat with the attendant on duty and they'll give you plenty of travel information. It goes without saying, if you're into the history of America's National Road, this is definitely for you. Kind of like how several people are into Route 66, but not really. It's a must-stop when you are traveling on the road.

Still in Parke County but outside Rockville, this is another Joseph A. Britton covered bridge that…read morehe completed in 1913. It is a single-span Burr Arch structure. This is originally the site of two other bridges that had been washed away before this one, the State Sanatorium Covered Bridge, was moved to here. It is open to traffic But I opted to take the bypass with the Sprinter van. The road to the east is hard packed dirt and not a great run. Total length of 170 feed with a clearance of 12.5 feet, it would have been fine for my heavy van but I thought, let's not today. [Review 1297 of 2024 - 174 in Indiana - 22320 overall]

This Single Span Burr Arch Truss originally crossed Little Raccoon Creek on State Sanatorium…read moreproperty, about a mile downstream from its current location. It was moved in 2008 to carry County Road 100N across Little Raccoon Creek. #1 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, the bridge was built by J.A. Britton in 1913-- one of the twelve covered bridges that he constructed in the county.

Out in Rural Illinois, I came upon this lovely looking home and while it was all locked up, it was…read morestill super interesting and thankfully, they have brochures in the front that provide some interesting details about the history of Charles M. Wright (the First, Second and Third) and their home. The first Dr. Wright collected architectural journals and suppliers' catalogs that he used in planning his 18-room home. The 6,000 square foot home has 7 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It was the first home in Altamont with indoor plumbing. If you're passing through, stop in. I'm hoping that in the ten years since Deb's review, they now allow non-flash photography. [Review 1281 of 2024 - 208 in Illinois - 22304 overall]

The tour is lackluster. The best thing about Wright Mansion is the period details but there are no…read morephotos allowed. Period. There's no book of photos to buy. Many museums don't allow flash photos and want that the sound settings on the cameras to be set to silent but that makes sense. We won't visit again and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

The Big Antlers in Casey are exactly the kind of roadside oddity that makes this town fun to…read moreexplore. Casey has oversized everything, and these massive antlers fit right in with the theme. They're impossible to miss and make for a quick, quirky stop on the way into the downtown area where the other Big Things are located. It's the sort of attraction that doesn't require much time but still gives you that classic Casey charm. Big, bold, and delightfully unnecessary in the best way. [Review 1052 of 2026 - 231 in Illinois - 26231 overall]

THE BIG ANTLERS The Antlers are the only big item in Casey…read morethat was not constructed locally. ALL ACCESS Staging & Productions donated the antlers. They said they wanted to support Casey and the Big Things, where art strengthens community and community inspires art.

The World's Largest Wooden Shoes are found in a candy shop in the quaint little town (population…read more3,000) of Casey, IL. This is one of a dozen "things" offically recognized as the World's Largest: World's Largest Wind Chime World's Largest Golf Tee World's Largest Pitchfork World's Largest Rocking Chair World's Largest Wooden Shoes World's Largest Mailbox World's Largest Gavel World's Largest Truck Key World's Largest Barbershop Pole World's Largest Teeter Totter World's Largest Golf Driver World's Largest Swizzle Spoon Well worth a detour off of I-70.

The Wooden Shoes are housed in a historic downtown building that dates back to the late 1800s. Once…read morelocated along the Doty Railroad, the building is now home to Wildflour Bakery and Candy Company. The Wooden Shoes gained the World's Largest title on October 20, 2015. Each Shoe weighs approximately 2500 pounds. To give an example of the size of the clogs, as part of a photoshoot, 15 people were able to stand inside one shoe. ​Coins thrown into the Shoes are donated to the Big Things Small Town Funds to continue to promote Casey and keep tourist areas looking beautiful.