Largest - Neon Sign in Michigan & Largest Figural Neon Sign in the United States - Jack Rabbit Beans - Saginaw, MI
N 43° 25.895 W 083° 56.638
17T E 261722 N 4812953
At 35' tall and 50' long this old gem is the largest neon sign in Michigan and the largest figural neon sign in the entire United States.
Waymark Code: WM2MBF
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 11/19/2007
Views: 120
We showed up at 9:00 am, after a two hour drive, to take a little tour of a few neon gems in Saginaw, MI. Our tour guide was local historian Thomas Mudd. This was the first one on our tour. After our tour, we spent the day looking around until it was time to go back for the night shots.
According to Mr. Mudd, you can thank Harry Houdini for this sign.
Houdini performed the "Rabbit-in-the-hat-act" at the Jeffers-Strand Theater in Saginaw in the late 1920's. He needed a volunteer and whoever helped him would get to keep the rabbit. A young girl named Phyllis R. Symons volunteered, and when the act was over she waited for her rabbit.
Houdini tried to get her off stage and told her he would give her something else afterwards. But she would not leave the stage until she received the rabbit.
Houdini eventually gave her the rabbit, which in 1937 would become the symbol of Jack Rabbit Beans. Phyllis' father, Albert L. Reidel, co-founded Port Huron-based Producers Elevator Co. It later became Michigan Bean Co., the maker of Jack rabbit Beans.
Sadly, Phyllis could not keep the rabbit in town, so it got sent to her grandparents in Minden City. They too were unable to put up with the rambunctious bunny, and one day Phyllis and her parents payed a visit and found the rabbit on the menu. Phyllis was in shock that they could eat the rabbit. Albert Reidel thought it was funny.
Type of documentation of superlative status: Testamonial by local historian Thomas Mudd
Location of coordinates: Smack dab in front of the building the sign is on.
Web Site: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:
Post one photo of the waymark that is a different view from the one on the page and describe your visit, including the date. Other information that you may regarding the waymark is encouraged. Neither you nor your GPSr need to appear in any photos!