It's spring on the road... A cannon, a mural, and TV on Route 66
News of the Outpost General Store's Guinness World Record's Largest Rocking Chair has spread along the road.
Cuba, MO News of the Outpost General Store's Guinness World Record's Largest Rocking Chair has spread along the road. Now, with the help of TV newsman Jim Viehman from KSDK's Channel 5 in St. Louis, its fame is spreading to a wider audience. On March 7, Viehman filmed a segment about the store, located four miles west of Cuba, MO, for the St. Louis Show Me St. Louis program.
Viehman interviewed Dan and Carolyn Sanazaro about the giant 42-foot rocker that has garnered so much attention for the store. The rocker's draw for travelers has forged a strong link between the Sanazaros and the folks who stop by their store, especially world travelers of Route 66.
Viehman's presence prompted Sanazaro to fire his Civil War replica cannon for the newsman. With a flash of fire and billowing smoke, the cannon will no doubt become a new attraction at The Outpost General Store this travel season. Viehman asked Sanazaro why he wanted to add a cannon to the other attractions at the store and its satellite businesses, an archery center and taxidermy business.
"Well, we are the 'Outpost', and I thought an outpost should have a cannon like they would have in the old days of the outpost forts. It just adds another attraction to break up travel for folks."
Viehman's son, who accompanied him on the video shoot, tried out the new penny press souvenir machine. Putting in 51 cents brought out his pressed penny, with one of four souvenir configurations that celebrate Route 66 or the World's Largest Rocker.
Viehman filmed the new Route 66 mural on the side of the building that features a vintage Route 66 scene complete with a corvette, motorcycles, and an old Coca-Cola soda chest. John Bland, who designed the store's rocker, painted the mural. Using a play on the Sanazaros' names, Bland painted Carolyn's Café and Danny's Gas Hole signs on the mural.
Sanazaro also explained how they make the rocker available for local fundraisers. On April 4, a local running club is sponsoring a 4-mile Race to the Rocker to raise funds for the local track program. On August 1, the local Fire Department will sponsor a Lift to the Rocker. They will use their bucket truck to lift people to the rocker seat for photos. All funds will go to the department.
While Viehman filmed and interviewed, his own family did what many do who visit the site. They took photos in front of the rocker, toured the store, talked to the locals and travelers, sat in the swing on the front porch, and watched the traffic travel what used to be America's Main Street.
At the end of the day, Viehman left with a World's Largest Rocker t-shirt and another story to tell about historic Route 66.
To contact the Sanazaros at the Outpost General Store call 573-885-1474, email f660@misn.com, or visit the website at www.fanning66outpost.com.
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