All of us know from our childhood that Superman was born in Krypton, spent his childhood in town of Smallville and worked (as Clark Kent) in Metropolis. All these places were fictional places created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster.
However a town named Metropolis does exist in Illinois, Ohio and taking advantage of its name, the town's people wanted the town to be officially recognised as "Hometown of Superman". In 1972 Illinois State Legislature passed a resolution declaring the town of Metropolis as the Hometown of Superman.
In 1986 a seven-foot fiberglass statute of Superman was unveiled. However this being fragile was regularly vandalised. Subsequently in 1993 a giant 15 feet tall statue of 'Man of Steel' was unveiled in front of the County Court. The base of the statue is in the shape of Superman emblem.
Across the road there is a Museum containing a huge collection of more than over 20,000 Superman's memorabilia.
The town is full of names associated with Superman. There is a lane known as 'Lois Lane'. In June each year, the city holds an annual Superman Celebration and it is big draw with fans of Superman.
Image from Flickr is by Dan Coulter (Google Street View)
Image from Flickr is by jimmywayne
Image from Flickr is by DClemm
US President Barack Obama (the then senator from Illinois State) poses in front of the Superman on August 14, 2006.
Image from Wikimedia Commons is in Public Domain - Original Source: US Congress
Image from Flickr is by George P Burdell
The Museum
Image from Flickr is by J. Stephen Conn
Inside the Museum
Image from Flickr is by j00j
The Metropolis Planet - Local newspaper
Image from Flickr is by Zengrrl
View location of Superman Statue in Google Earth / Google Maps and Street View
Source of info and more info: Wikipedia / supermuseum.com
Excellent post and outstanding website. I'm honored that you have used one of my Creative Commons photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you J. Stephen. Main credit for my Armchair Travelogue goes to photographers like you, who post their images under Creative Commons.
ReplyDeleteThanks once again.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2011.
Thank you for using my photo and the credit link. One request, though - could you correct Zengrri to Zengrrl? The link is correct. Thanks! =)
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle / Zengrrl
ReplyDeleteMy apologies for the typographical error in the name. I have corrected it now.
Sorry once again.
All the best and Happy New Year.