old, weird america

April 14, 2009 11:38 PM

Roadside Architecture. "I have been passionate about commercial architecture and roadside related things all my life. I grew up in California but New York City has been my home since 1980. I started this website in 2000 simply as a way to organize my own photos. Since then, it has become a bit of an obsession and grown to well over 1,000 pages." flickr. blog.

For example: Mini Golf. Seattle's Walker Rock Garden. Fairy Tale Parks of New Hampshire.

Please note, for whatever reason the site author uses a redirect on the primary domain name to here. Also, previously.

posted by mwhybark (11 comments total)

Pity the site doesn't pay more attention to website architecture snark snark snark- but I do like roadside art.
posted by mattoxic at 4:18 AM on April 15, 2009 [1 favorite]

I went directly to Giant Food. [I'll give you a moment to get over your surprise.] I wasn't disappointed.

Nice post.
posted by Joe Beese at 5:26 AM on April 15, 2009

Great documentation of car showrooms and movie theaters. I love the egyption influences.
posted by readery at 5:41 AM on April 15, 2009

I'm honestly impressed by the number of giant donut signs documented.

And now, I would really like to eat one of those giant donut signs. Mmmm. Donuts.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 8:47 AM on April 15, 2009 [1 favorite]

Large Canadian Roadside Attractions
posted by oaf at 10:59 AM on April 15, 2009

some of which appear to be on this larger U.S.-centric site
posted by oaf at 11:00 AM on April 15, 2009

I found the flickr sampling to be a effective way to zip through the eye candy sans the impressive curatorial notes seen on the main site. Really, quite a feat, and still ongoing. Can you say 'book deal?'
posted by mwhybark at 1:49 PM on April 15, 2009

There's a great academic take on the subject in Main Street to Miracle Mile.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:54 PM on April 15, 2009

I used to work near the Babylonian Snake God . Not sure what the current status is, but last time I went by it was turned to face away from the county road because people complained that the glowing red eyes were disturbing. I thought it was kinda cool.
posted by chiraena at 5:59 PM on April 15, 2009

Wow. That is the best photo of a Babylonian snake god I have even seen. (And in New Jersey, of all places...)
posted by LeLiLo at 8:38 PM on April 15, 2009

I've been meaning to go on a "classic diner" pilgrimage this summer, so this is timely. Thanks.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:05 AM on April 16, 2009