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This Twitter Account Highlights Weird Buildings Around the World You Have to See to Believe

United States Road Trips News Art + Architecture
by Morgane Croissant Apr 11, 2022

When it comes to thematic road trips, the sky is the limit. You can hit the asphalt in search of beautiful scenery, try to visit as many national parks as possible, or even turn your drive into a gem hunt. If it’s funky architecture you’re after, the Twitter account Weird Little Buildings puts the spotlight on buildings unlike any others.

Created in May 2021, the Twitter account posts pictures of weird buildings one can see around the world, from India to Japan to the United States. Each photo is accompanied by the name of the building, its use, its construction date, its architect(s), and its location. For lovers of kooky architecture, the account is basically a trip-planning tool.

There’s a basket-shaped building in Newark, Ohio, that deserves at least a photo stop. The Longaberger basket building is a seven-story, 180,000-square-foot structure built in 1997 as the headquarters of a basket-making company — what else? Although it’s not the home of the Longaberger business any longer, it’s still standing, albeit empty. It is currently for sale for $6.5 million.

The Big Duck, a white and yellow duck-shaped structure in Flanders, New York, is not a very functional building, but it’s certainly one that draws the eye. Built in 1931, The Big Duck has moved several times in its lifetime, and its protection has triggered fundraising events from supporters. The Big Duck is 30 feet long, 20 feet high, and 18 feet wide, and is home to items linked to its creation. The Big Duck is open daily for a visit, and you can follow its tribulations on Facebook in the group Friends of the Big Duck.

Bob’s Java Jive, a bar shaped like a 25-foot-tall coffee pot, is one of the most eye-catching weird buildings on the Twitter account. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Bob’s Java Jive was built in 1927 as a restaurant, but throughout the years it also served as a speakeasy and a music venue. During the pandemic, the building and the business it houses nearly went under with too many renovations needed to keep either afloat. A cry for financial help on Facebook in spring 2021 helped raise more than $10,000 to save this unusual building.

Peruse the Weird Little Buildings Twitter account to find more of the many weird buildings scattered around the US, including a phallus-shaped water tower in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and a very modern and pointy burger stand in Austin, Texas.

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