Superman in Metropolis

I believe you’ve all seen my photo journal of my recent trip through the Northwest. However, there were other photos and stories that I left for future columns. This is one of those columns.

On my way up to my starting point for my trip, I passed several places that I had seen before, and so I didn’t bother to stop and take pictures. There was one town that I had passed many times without getting off the interstate and going to see the main attraction there.

On my way home, I again passed the little town in southern Illinois named Metropolis. Now, any town with that name brings an image to most of us of the fictional character, Superman, who lived and worked in the equally fictitious city of Metropolis.

Who among us can forget how we watched and worshipped Superman in our youth? I will admit that I even tried to emulate the Man of Steel in my youth by becoming “Ken Kenmore” (the town I grew up in) and saving numerous damsels in distress in my imagination. I know, I was weird!

There is a water tower next to I-24 outside of Metropolis, IL, that promotes the Superman mystique by showing a huge painting of the hero and letting travelers know that his likeness is preserved in the form of a statue in the town square.

I took the bait and left I-24 for the center of Metropolis to see Superman. I wasn’t the only one to do so, either. There were several visitors in the square to see him.

Okay, I won’t keep you in suspense... Here is the Superman statue in his classic pose, with the inscription on the base, “Truth, Justice, The American Way.”
You can see the size of this statue by measuring it against the woman in the background. Also, notice the floodlights that illuminate Superman at night like a national shrine.

Across the street there is also some glitzy tourist stuff in and on what probably used to be a drug store, complete with a sidewalk photo stand with the bodies of Superman and Superwoman and appropriate notches where you can rest your chin to have your head superimposed on the torso for a photo op. In the center left of the picture you can see, painted on the brick wall, the famous phone booth, Clark Kent and Lois Lane.

If you’re ever in the vicinity of Paducah, Kentucky—the closest city of any size near Metropolis—take a half-hour to stop by and visit with Superman. It’s about as kitschy as you can get.