The Colossus of Roads: Myth and Symbol along the American Highway

by Karal Ann Marling

Where can one find the world's largest prairie chicken, a restaurant shaped like a fish, a massive Paul Bunyan, or an enormous ear of corn? Roadside sculpture is a uniquely American phenomenon and these strange and wonderful figures can be found scattered along highways and standing in small-town squares, particularly in the Midwest.

These odd and oversized attractions have become destinations for travelers. Whether it serves art, commerce, or local pride, the colossus is always a place in itself, a stopping place where the everyday rules of reality are suspended and the observer can gain insight into the way these communities imagine themselves.

Karal Ann Marling visits dozens of these roadside attractions, viewing them analytically, intellectually, and enthusiastically, tracing each one through folklore and literature. Heavily illustrated, this book takes the reader on the road to examine these treasures and all that they represent.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Architecture, Art

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Karal Ann Marling is professor of art history and American studies at the University of Minnesota. She is the author of numerous books on topics including American mural painting of the Depression era, illustration of the 1940s, the architecture of theme parks, and the influence of television on visual culture in the 1950s.

Reviews

[Henry]

Same as “Boundless Realm,” marries the “okay but does it REALLY mean that?” style of art criticism with a topic I enjoy, in this case roadside attractions. Worth it just for the cataloguing of obscure attractions and the exhaustive footnotes.

[Harris]

In spite of being over thirty years old now, The Colossus of Roads is still a fascinating and thought provoking treatise on the origins and folkloric role of roadside attractions in the culture and history of the United States. I first read it ten years ago just before starting a master's program in history, and I found that the arguments and ideas introduced here shaped my interests in ways that I didn't even realize at the time.

In the Colossus of Roads, Marling takes on the bizarre and amusing topic of kitschy roadside attractions, seemingly a trivial, frivolous subject, and explores the deep web of meaning that connects them, from the commercial origins of Paul Bunyan and giant fish, to mini golf, to the “great” in the Great Gatsby. These modern “myths” of the American highway are the products of a rich mix of cultural influences that in the 20th century caused the citizens of small towns throughout the country, particularly the Midwest and especially Minnesota to build large, weird statues in order to draw the eye to their communities. Drawing together many disparate but linked elements from historical, literary, and sociological sources in its concise 120 pages, there are so many interesting threads to look into I think they could be the starting point for many researchers and novelists alike. There are certainly themes introduced here that could spark new and interesting research topics and I find that the rich tapestry of ideas are able to inspire all manner of stories.

Even as changes in technology make such oddities even more relics of the 20th century, I still feel that travel and place remain important in the North American milieu and the cultural geography of the continent. Colossus of Roads is a good starting place for anyone interested in the history of such kitsch along the transportation infrastructures of North America. In addition to its informative chapters, its bibliography is stuffed full of sources to seek out for even more. I do find myself returning to the Colossus of Roads again and again, obsessed by the breadth of this short but weighty book’s themes.

[Julie H. Ernstein]

What a fun book! Beginning in the 1920s and continuing well into the second half of the 20th century, distinct sculptural forms now referred to as "roadside colossi," a host of new commercial ventures including uniquely-shaped diners, motels, and roadside stands (some of which were accompanied by boldly-shaped and brightly-lit signage), as well as entertainment venues in the form of drive-in movie theatres, carhop restaurants, and miniature golf courses, collectively vied for the attention of passing motorists and tourists--and the contents of their wallets. Nearly a century later, scholars and muggles alike are coming to appreciate the many purposes--both practical and symbolic--that these attractions once served. Marling's book, written in the 1980s, provides a serious consideration of some whimsically lighthearted stuff. This short book covers a lot of ground, and I esp. enjoyed the treatment of Minnesota's wealth of roadside colossi. Once the snow clears (possibly sometime in May?), it'll be time to make a roadtrip to explore a bunch of them.

[Simone]

This is a great book on a really interesting topic. I was hoping that this book would make more the argument that is announced in the title, instead it's mainly a collection of thoughts and observations and things are occasionally linked together. Still there are moments that make it really worthwhile, if you are interested in the creation of the American Myth, and American popular culture. As another reviewer pointed out, the main problem is the book looks like it was designed as a free pamphlet, a lot of bad black and white photos, a lot of text. Occasionally sections read like someone's field notes typed up. But it's short, so its a quick read.

[Jenny]

fascinating book about roadside spectacle. unfortunately, the book itself could have used a better designer and editor because it looks like a free brochure.

[Megan]

I wish it was more up-to-date, but it was a fairly interesting read.

[Sarah Sammis]

http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016...

[Anne]

It read like a thesis, but had some really interesting points about colossi and America. Mostly Minnesota colossi...