Superman may not be real, but his city is. Metropolis, Illinois, bills itself as “The Hometown of Superman”, and has a 15 ft. statue of the Man of Steel to prove it. Metropolis is located in the southern tip of Illinois, about 12 miles north of Paducah, Kentucky. This small city of roughly 6500 has signs of Superman all over.
The Superman Statute stands guard in front of the courthouse in Superman Square. Across the road, there are wooden cut-outs of Superman and Supergirl so you can put your head on their bodies. Also across the road is the Super Museum, owned by Jim Hambrick, super fan of Superman. Originally from California, Jim moved to Metropolis just to open his museum in Superman’s hometown.
The museum is jam-packed with Superman items and memorabilia. There’s also an equally full gift shop. The Super Museum is located at 517 Market Street, and is open seven days a week, from 9 am to 5 pm. Their phone number is 618.524.5518.
There’s even a city newspaper called the Daily Planet, and an annual Superman Festival. Across town you’ll find “super-sized” Big John (he’s even bigger than Superman) at Big John’s Grocery Store. Maybe he’s Superman’s big brother.
Metropolis has other attractions worth noting.
Fort Massac State Park
Fort Massac State Park is the oldest state park in Illinois, and features a reconstructed replica of the 1802 Fort Massac. Check out the barracks, block houses, stockade and officer’s quarters. For those interested in life in the 1700’s, there’s an annual Fort Massac Encampment.
The fort was last occupied by US Troops during the Civil War, when it was used as a training camp. A measles epidemic led to the close of the fort in 1862.
The park also features a picnic area, boating facilities, hunting and hiking, and camping, making it a popular destination. The park is situated on the Ohio River, and often barges can be seen cruising by on the river.
Fort Massac State Park is located at 1308 East 5th Street; the phone number is 618.524.4712. The park is open seven days a week from dawn to dusk.
Harrah’s Casino
Harrah’s Casino is located on a barge designed to look like a steamboat. It is docked on the Ohio River in Metropolis.
“The boat”, as it is called by locals, has a casino and dining room. A building on shore offers lodging and live entertainment.
These are just a few of the attractions available in the Metropolis area. Whether you're a Superman fan or not, you'll find Metropolis to be a nice little city with plenty to do and see.
For more information on Metropolis, call 800.949.5740.
Brenda Potter Reynolds - Brenda Potter Reynolds is a professional photographer and writer based in northern New York State. A former newspaper editor, she has been ...
