Metropolis, Illinois Part 3

As I was researching Metropolis to see if the city was really, truly named Metropolis or was it changed later as a publicity/tourism stunt [DISH, Texas, I'm looking at you!]. Turns out it's always been Metropolis as best I can tell...at least longer than Superman has been a going concern. But during my research I also found that Metropolis is also home to another "Man of Steele" other than the Last Son of Krypton. A man named John Steele was born in Metropolis in 1912 and he was a paratrooper who took part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. 

During his parachute drop Steele became entangled on a church tower in the town of Sainte-Mère-Église. Steele pretended to be dead and was eventually taken prisoner by the Germans. Steele's landing ended up being a fortunate error in that many of his fellow paratroopers were killed when they landed around Sainte-Mère-Église because the Nazis quickly set up lights that let them target the soldiers easily. 

Steele's D-Day story was made famous in The Longest Day and he was played by Red Buttons who watched in horror as his compatriots were killed. 

Across the street from the famous Superman statue they have a mural dedicated to the men and women from Metropolis who have served to defend our freedom.

A large portion of the mural is in honor of Steele and his fateful trip.

The accompanying plaque tells his story. Someday I hope to visit Normandy and see the memorial that was created in Sainte-Mère-Église with a parachute dangling from the spire of the church. 

Metropolis, Illinois Part 2

Although one of the main claims to fame for Metropolis, Illinois is the city's large Superman statue, the city has another imposing statue located in front of the Big John Market grocery store.  

When you're competing with Superman you've got to bring your A-game.

 

Metropolis' two favorite sons. As best I can tell the Big John's in Metropolis is the store's only location. 

Metropolis, Illinois Part 1

As Laura and I were planning our trip back to Lawrence, KS from Atlanta for her graduation we found that the little town of Metropolis, Illinois was situated about half way through our journey and the perfect spot to stop for the evening. We had driven through Metropolis on our initial trip to Atlanta and the signs advertising a big Superman statue and so I was certainly going to stop during our next trip through. 

A few blocks of the downtown area of Metropolis has been completely given over to their favorite son. Metropolis Comics has a nice little Superman museum and is a must for anyone visiting. 

You have to tip your hat to a comic shop that has the brilliant idea to paint some rocks with day glow paint and sell them as Kryptonite...and yes, it glows in the dark.

Down a block from the comic shop and right in front of a school is the famous Superman statue that reads "Truth, Justice, and the American Way" on the bottom.

I think I pull off a cape pretty well.

On another trip through Metropolis this cool vintage car [Studebaker I believe...but please tell me if it isn't] was parked in front of the shop. It gave the street a feeling like you had stepped back into the first issue of Action Comics which has Superman throwing a green car.

The view of Metropolis from our hotel room. It's not quite the Metropolis I had in my mind but it's a nice little city with one very interesting claim to fame.