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All the United States Illinois Mattoon

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Mattoon

3 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Mattoon, Illinois

Updated July 20, 2021

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Unusual Attractions in Mattoon

Illinois’ Original Burger King from streetside

Mattoon, Illinois

Illinois’ Original Burger King

The multinational Burger King chain is banned from operating within 20 miles of a family restaurant filed under the same name.
View of the well from the west

Mattoon, Illinois

Blalack & Walter Well No. 1

This small-town park in southern Illinois has a 1,000,000-gallon swimming pool and a 100,000-barrel oil well.

Mattoon, Illinois

Grave of Arland D. Williams, Jr.

The final resting place of the hero of Air Florida Flight 90 known as "the man in the water."
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Permanently Closed
The world’s fastest pop machine.

Lerna, Illinois

World's Fastest Pop Machine

The 40-year-old machine serves soda quicker than you can catch it for a mere 75 cents a pop.
6 miles from Mattoon
Two-Story Outhouse

Gays, Illinois

Two-Story Outhouse

This historic lavatory leftover features two levels of defecation stations completely without context.
6 miles from Mattoon
Permanently Closed
Buggy rides at Rockome Gardens (Flickr/Пероша)

Arcola, Illinois

Rockome Gardens - An Amish Themepark

You were once able to challenge a chicken to tic-tac-toe at this park, which is now converted into the Aikman Wildlife Adventure.
13 miles from Mattoon
Permanently Closed
Lincoln is visible from far away.

Ashmore, Illinois

World's Tallest Lincoln Statue

This abandoned Abraham Lincoln statue has also earned the honorary of "World's Ugliest."
14 miles from Mattoon

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Mattoon

Illinois’ Original Burger King from streetside

Mattoon, Illinois

Illinois’ Original Burger King

The multinational Burger King chain is banned from operating within 20 miles of a family restaurant filed under the same name.
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