Sanazaro creates world’s largest rocking chair off Route 66

Standing at 42-feet, 1-inch tall, weighing 27,500 pounds and made completely of metal, it looms over the tiny country store. It is painted completely white, except for the few words painted in blue across the top. If you look closely you can see “World’s Largest Rocking Chair” written on the seat.

This giant rocking chair is located on Route 66, another historic part of America. The rocking chair was recently named the world’s largest by the Guinness Book of World Records team just before its first birthday on April 1.

“We wanted to build a store and we wanted to give people a reason to stop at our store,” co-owner of the chair, Dan Sanazaro said. “We didn’t want to put in gas pumps and so we built this.”

Located four miles west of Cuba, Mo., the chair is located right off the road where travelers are sure to see it. The chair’s owners, Dan and Carolyn Sanazaro, built the rocker in order to bring travelers and locals into their own business attractions: an archery range, taxidermy shop and general store built in 1932. Since the chair and store are located on the historic Route 66, they make sure to sell Route 66 merchandise and even have a penny presser that presses the picture of the chair and the Route 66 symbol into the penny.

“All the foreigners seem to like the memorabilia with Route 66 on them,” Carolyn said. “We make our own wine and have some unique wood carvings and gift items.”

Making a 42-foot chair was no easy feat for the Sanazaros or their helpful friends. In order to get the design for the giant chair, Dan asked his friend John Bland, a designer, to help him plan how the rocker would look. Although Bland had no formal training in engineering, his plans were very close to perfect and with a few tweaks, was ready to build. Another friend of Dan’s, Joe Medwick, a welder, stepped up to help for this part. Medwick constructed the 31-chair rockers at his store, but he built the rest of the chair on its side while on site at the store.

“It took us six weeks to build,” Dan said. “We had some good friends help us out.”

April 1 was a historic and memorable day for all of those involved. Two cranes were used to lift the rocker into place on its concrete pad. In order to make the chair safe, Medwick welded the chair into the pad so it could not actually rock. However, when Dan applied for the Guinness World Records organization to name the chair the largest in the world, they requested to see if the chair could actually rock. Medwick cut the welds on the bottom of the chair and then Dan and some of his workers pushed the chair to make it rock.

“We have a hidden camera on the chair and we have seen some unusual sites,” Dan said. “It’s really pretty funny.”

Although Dan and his crew sent in their tape to Guinness’ officials, it appeared to have never arrived. Officials called Dan to tell him the news that it may have been lost, but shortly after that, the tape arrived and certification of the chair arrived in late February.

“Someone actually called and wanted to buy it,” Dan said. “I told them, ‘I don’t think you could haul it!'”

The World’s Largest Rocker has made an impact all around the world. People that travel Route 66 have stopped to have their pictures taken next to this giant chair and the real shocker is how far some people have really gone to see this historic chair. Carolyn and Dan have made a guest book for travelers to sign on their way down the road. There are signatures from Norway, Japan, Germany and Italy in their book, along with those from Boston, New York, California and other points.

“My favorite part is getting to meet people from all over the world,” Carolyn said. “Everybody stops in to see the rocking chair and they can pick up a post card or magnet to say they’ve been here.”

FHNtoday.com

FHNtoday.com

FHNtoday.com

Sanazaro creates world’s largest rocking chair off Route 66