If you travel along any major highway, you will see the usual things, truck stops, restaurants, and hotels (the good ones and the ones that look like they are owned by a man who has mother issues. Now and then you can pass by something that makes you wonder if you saw what you think you saw. The kind of object that causes you to pull off the nearest exit, turn around and go back to prove the object was real.
In the town of Livingston, Illinois you find such an object. If you are traveling Highway 55, you will witness a life-size pink elephant.
It once served as the Livingston high school from 1927 until it closed in 2004. The building sat empty for about a year until the current owners Davie and Bernice Hammond converted the space into what it is today.
On closer inspection, you find other objects of curiosity. A flying saucer, a giraffe, sometimes a rhino, and sometimes a hippo, are just a few. The giraffe could either be standing up or on its side depending on how windy it is.
The flying saucer was once a Futuro House. Designed by Matti Suuronen, a Finnish architect, with the intent for the houses to be easily set up at different locations. They were not well received with only a handful of building traveling to the United States.
The outside is guarded by larger-than-life statues of a man in white shorts with a woman next to the large ice cream cone.
Behind the statues is a two stories tall building. This gives you an idea of how tall the man and woman are.
The cone-shaped building was once a Twistee Treat franchise before the parent company went bankrupt. The building as well and the use of the Twistee Treat brand would remain with the former franchise owners. The Hammonds purchased one of the old buildings and it is now part of the Twistee Treats 50’s style diner. Its menu consists of the usual burgers and hot dogs. As well as other menu items. Just make sure you save room for the ice cream cones and Sundays.
The flying saucer from the photo above was once a Futuro House. Designed by Matti Suuronen, a Finnish architect, with the intent for the houses to be easily set up at different locations. They were not well received with only a handful of building traveling to the United States.
Once inside you find more than 50 individual booths housed within the school. Start by weaving your way around on side of the gymnasium. Then go up onto the stage before wandering around the other side of the gym. Don’t think that is just it. Each of the classrooms holds treasures just waiting to be found.
After foraging for thousands of items just waiting to be brought their new forever home, you may find yourself a bit hungry. You have two options, the Twistee Treat dinner mentioned above, or the candy store just to the side as you walk in. With its wide variety of items sold by the pound, homemade fudge, and both new and classic favorites you are sure to find something.
Now that you have your energy restored you should do more passes in case you missed anything. You never know if you will find that priceless treasure or just someplace to store your farm-fresh butt nuggets.
Just remember to fill up the car’s tank with gas and your body’s tank with snacks before you set out on the next Day Trip 100.
I love quirky spots like this! The Twistee Treat looks pretty cool.