Posts Tagged ‘Metropolis’

I first visited Metropolis a couple of years ago. Here are some photos of the Superman statue circa 2007. Not much has changed at all…

Site: Superman Statue
Location: Superman Square, 611 Market St., Metropolis, IL
Cost: Free to see
Hours: Always Visible
Date: July 14, 2007

Metropolis: city menaced by crime or small Midwestern town?

Whichever you think, both the fictional comic book locale and the town on the tip of Southern Illinois are guarded by one super hero: Superman. Metropolis, Illinois, founded in 1838, is located on the Ohio River, just ten miles from neighboring Kentucky and today devotes itself to the man of steel.

After a movement led by Kentucky native Robert Westerfield and an official decree (Resolution Number 572) from the Illinois House of Representatives, Metropolis, IL officially became the “Hometown of Superman” on June 9, 1972.

In 1973 a museum was built to honor the hometown (super)hero but sadly closed a year later due to a gas shortage and delays in an interstate that put a damper on tourism. It wasn’t until 1979 when the passion towards celebrating was reborn with the release of the first Superman movie. The town held a Superman Celebration, a festival that included reenacting a bank robbery with Superman coming to the rescue. Every year since fans have gathered from around the world each year to celebrate.

Perhaps one of the most famed icons of the town is the statue of Superman on “superman Square.” The first incarnation was a seven-foot fiberglass version erected in 1986. In 1993, after over $100, 000 was raised, a new version replaced the old: a 15-foot bronze statue decked in red cape and giant “S” which watches over Metropolis as only a real super hero could.

Site: Superman Statue
Location: Superman Square, 611 Market St., Metropolis, IL
Cost: Free to see
Hours: Always Visible
Date: May 2, 2009