“World’s Largest Anything” is not what you would expect to find close to Meadville, and yet there is a world record object not all that far away. So before the snow begins to make travel across interstate 90 a nightmare, why not head out for a cool day trip that will be a wonder for even the most grumpy of your travel mates.
Located in Willard Park in downtown Cleveland is the World’s Largest Rubber Stamp that has the word FREE etched on it. Originally commissioned for Standard Ohio of Ohio in 1985, it was to be placed in front of their building directly across from the Soldiers and Sailers Monument as a tribute to the soldiers of the Civil War and the end to slavery. Before the work on this monumental structure could be completed however British Petroleum took over Standard Oil of Ohio and the new company refused to allow the stamp. Apparently the word “FREE” now took on a different connotation in regards to the lack of corporate freedom for the prior Standard Oil of Ohio. Even though that was not the reason for the stamp, it was banned from the British Petroleum property and left to sit in a warehouse.
In 1991 the giant stamp was released to the public and found a new home in Willard Park and is still very near the Soldiers and Sailors Monument of Cleveland which is well worth the few blocks walk.
The parking in Cleveland is on street parallel metered parking and I can tell you from experience that driving around looking for an open spot is nerve wracking. So take my advice and just head straight to the Willard Parking Garage and pay the $2.50 for the hour. You will possibly spend more than that in fuel driving around aimlessly looking for a space especially during the day on a weekday.
I have to warn you though about the garage, it is situated just a bit different from the other parking structures I have dealt with. You enter at street level, and will be amazed at just how many cars are actually in there. You can follow the signs for more parking and keep looking for a spot until you seriously have no clue where you actually are. Once you leave the vehicle is when it gets really interesting. First TAKE YOUR TICKET WITH YOU or you will be heading back to get it to pay. Some garages are like this and some are not, but most of the time if you need to pay before you go back to your car there are a gazillion signs telling you that. Now in all honesty, there may have been signs but I was too focused on trying to figure out which way to turn at each intersection to find more parking. Here is where my story takes a significant “what the heck” turn. Having left the vehicle I went to the stairwell and like most garages headed down the stairs. Getting to the bottom I find there was no way out. In all of my twists and turns and concentrating on find a spot I did not dawn on me that I was actually going below street level. For at least 10 mins I wandered around (although I was not exactly lost) until I found the elevator that was working on the West side of the structure. It was one of those “head smacking” moments, but the 49 foot tall stamp and the Soldiers and Sailors was worth all the aggravation.
There is also a large statue of Abraham Lincoln and the words to the Gettysburg Address are inscribed below, so it maybe a good little history lesson for the kiddos. I tell all the parents this ahead of time so they can read up on some Civil War Trivia and astound the kids with their intellect and knowledge, or at least feel like they did.
There is much to do and see in Downtown Cleveland if you are making the journey over so plan a day of it. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and the Museum of Natural History are just a few of the attractions. Why not take a little time to see what the city has to offer while you are there.
Once your trip is done, it is time to find your car so just keep repeating, “Not all who wander are lost, not all who wander are lost”
