The Odd Midwest

Mid Missouri at its finest

Story and Photos by Richard Blandd

          File Under: Strange Roadside finds
          Location:  Missouri, strange objects, roadside attractions

      Richard Bland writes: "I spend a great deal of my spare time riding a bicycle.  It provides me physical
fitness as well as mental stability.  While riding, I am often able to soul search
and contemplate many of life's mysteries.  In fact, many times, I find solutions to
the problems created by the fast-paced society of today.  

During the weekend of September 10 and 11, I participated in the 21st annual MS 150
bicycle tour, which took place in Columbia, MO, and the surrounding rural area.  I
truly knew I was in Mid-Missouri when I came upon a quite unique sight.  It left me
pondering some of life's mysteries for the entire weekend.  In fact, I am still
thinking about it a week later.  I'm not sure there is any other explanation then,
"it's Mid-Missouri""    


     (Click to enlarge)





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East Chicago Officials Turn Off 'Jesus Light'

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) - City officials have turned off a streetlight that drew more than 250 people to see a shadow that some say resembles the image of Jesus Christ.

East Chicago Police Chief Angelo Machuca called an emergency meeting Sunday to recommend the light be turned off in the interest of public safety after nearby residents complained about blocked cars and visitors congregating until 5 a.m.

Several arrests were made Friday night after a large fight broke out in the area.

"The city respects everyone's religious beliefs, but it's getting to the point now where it's almost too dangerous" to leave the light on, said Damian Rico, the city's public relations director.

People have flocked to the site since Wednesday, when a woman first claimed to see the image on the side of a tree. The image is only visible at night when the streetlight near the tree is illuminated.

Machuca said his department doesn't have the manpower to maintain regular patrols and control the crowd.

"The light will remain off until we can get some kind of solution," he said.

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Roadside Attraction: The Tire Tree

The rusty tire rim makes for an interesting knot in the tree.

          Location:   Alton Illinois (Mapped)
          File Under: Roadside Attractions, Odd Tree

While going to McPikes Mansion in Alton we noticed an old stone staircase on the opposite side of the road from the Mansion, just a few hundred feet up the road. I thought maybe it was going to be a cemetery but it turned out to be an empty lot, most likely an old house that had been torn down. Towards the back of the lot you will see an old tree, in the center of the tree you will see an rusty tire rim about 4 foot up If you think about it, it's pretty amazing that the tree grew up and around an old tire, totally engulfing the entire tire. - Justin Makler

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The Motorcycle Killer

(Front of Post Card) 

The sign read, "10 Cents a Postcard" - Story by Justin Makler

          Location:  Staunton Illinois & Aurora Illinois
          File Under: Strange Objects, Murder, Mystery

     This post card was found a few years back in a little antique shop in Staunton Illinois. My wife and I love driving through the little towns and always make it a habit to check out the local pawn and antique shops.  When I get bored (because my wife is a slow shopper)  I browse the postcards which most antique shops seem to have. Even if you don't find anything worth buying the inscriptions on the back can be amusing. Like this one that was stuck in the midst of about 2000 others, I just happened to read the back, and obviously it struck me as odd. There is no date stamp because it was never mailed and I can't even confirm that they are talking about Aurora Illinois but since the antique shop isn't far from Aurora there is a good chance. I asked the owner if he had any clue where the postcard might have came from. With a chuckle he replied. "Son, we buy those things every time we come across them at the local yard sales. I've been collecting that there tray of them for over 20 years, so heaven only knows." He lowered his spectacles to the end of his nose and said, "Looks like it was taken with one of those Brownie Postcard Cameras and my guess is it was taken sometime in the early 20's by the look of that bike."

I can't figure out how to track down any further information on the postcard, so we will just have to let our minds fill in the unknowns.


(Back of Post Card) 

The inscription reads:

"Some more speed work
I dont know if you
have read of the very
brutal murder of a young
girl here in aurora if so
this is the man they claim
done it he runs 50 miles an
hour skirts a railroad track
then bands through space for 35 feet"

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