Gemini Giant

Last updated

Gemini Giant
Gemini Giant.jpg
General information
TypeStatue
LocationEntrance to South Island Park, Wilmington IL, 201 Bridge St. Wilmington, IL 60481
Coordinates 41°18′21.8334″N88°8′58.9272″W / 41.306064833°N 88.149702000°W / 41.306064833; -88.149702000
Year built1964;62 years ago (1964) [1]
RelocatedNovember 29, 2024
Renovated2019;7 years ago (2019) [2] 2024;2 years ago (2024) [3]
Owner Joliet Area Historical Museum [4]
Height30 ft [5]
Dimensions
Weight438 lbs [5]
Technical details
MaterialFiberglass [5]
Awards and prizesIllinois Route 66 Hall of Fame [6]
Renovating team
Main contractor2019: John Mercer [2] 2024: [Re]Giant [7]

The Gemini Giant is a fiberglass roadside statue located in Wilmington, IL along historic U.S. Route 66. The statue depicts a helmeted astronaut holding a rocket and is a variation of the "Muffler Man" figures popularized in the 1960s. [8] [9]

Contents

History

The Launching Pad Years, 1960-2022

John and Bernice Korelc opened a Dari-Delite restaurant in 1960. The proprietors bought a 438-pound fiberglass Muffler Man figure for $3,500 at the annual National Restaurant Association convention. [10] Seeking to capitalize on America's fascination with the Space Race, they rebranded the restaurant as the "Launching Pad" and had the statue outfitted as an astronaut. A naming contest was held at the local grade school, resulting in the "Gemini Giant" moniker. [11] The Giant often appeared in national and international media alongside stories about the Mother Road, and became one of the most photographed destinations for travelers making the Route 66 journey. [12]

The Gemini Giant was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2000. [13]

The restaurant remained family owned until 2007, [14] but struggled afterwards even with the Gemini Giant's continued popularity. The restaurant was abandoned for years beginning in 2010, [15] and changed ownership again in late 2017. [16]

After a briefly successful reopening, the business was forced to close as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite receiving over a half million dollars in federal grants and forgiven loans between the Paycheck Protection Program [17] [18] and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, [19] the restaurant would close permanently in July 2022.

2024 Auction and relocation

Removal of Gemini Giant from Launching Pad after auction GeminiGiantMoved.jpg
Removal of Gemini Giant from Launching Pad after auction

After a potential sale of the property to the Joliet Area Historical Museum (JAHM) for $420,000 [20] fell through, the owner damaged the restaurant and littered the parking lot. [21]

The Gemini Giant and contents of the restaurant were auctioned off on March 20, 2024. The Giant sold for $275,000. [22] The winning bid was made by JAHM utilizing funds provided by a state grant. [3] The Gemini Giant was removed from the Launching Pad on the same day [23] , while the newly former owner made threats to sue JAHM to take the statue back. [24] After removal, the Route 66 landmark was sent downstate for restoration. [25] It was installed at its new home, the entrance to South Island Park in Wilmington, on November 29, 2024. The next day the City of Wilmington hosted a Gemini Giant Homecoming party celebrating its return. [26]

The written agreement between JAHM and the City of Wilmington was initially a two year loan, [4] later extended to February 2045. [27]

A JAHM funded visitor center called The Landing Pad opened nearby in May 2025, named after the Gemini Giant’s former home. [28]

Trademark disputes

Immediately after the 2017 sale of the restaurant became public, Jeffrey Vilt of neighboring Coal City filed a trademark application for the phrase "Launching Pad Gemini Giant" for use on merchandise. [29] He had no connection to the new owner. His application was eventually abandoned in 2021 after failing to submit the necessary documentation. [30] A similar fate met the various applications [31] [32] [33] [34] submitted by the then owner. As of January 2026, no active trademarks exist for the Gemini Giant.

References

  1. ↑ "Wilmington's Gemini Giant Stands Tall in the History of Route 66". Heritage Corridor Destinations. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Warnick, Ron (June 8, 2019). "Restoration of Gemini Giant completed". Route 66 News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Gemini Giant To Stay In Wilmington". Archived from the original on March 20, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Agenda - Committee of the Whole - May 14, 2024" (PDF). City of Wilmington. May 14, 2024. pp. 20–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Joyce, Katy Spratte. "Reviving a Giant". Route Magazine. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame Members". Route 66 Association of Illinois. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  7. ↑ "reMoving A Giant". YouTube. April 21, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Wilmington, Illinois - Home of the Gemini Giant". Archived from the original on June 8, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  9. ↑ "The Launching Pad Diner". Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  10. ↑ Bungartz, Amanda (May 22, 2019). "Ready for liftoff: A resurrected Route 66 diner serves up hot fudge sundaes with a side of grief counseling". Roadtrippers Magazine. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  11. ↑ Voigt, Jason (November 21, 2020). "Bunyon's Statue Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  12. ↑ Searl, Ryan (March 11, 2021). "Legendary Route 66 Sights: The Gemini Giant". The First Hundred Miles. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  13. ↑ Warnick, Ron (December 6, 2017). "Launching Pad's new owners launch crowdfunding site". Route 66 News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018.
  14. ↑ Warnick, Ron (July 24, 2007). "Creator of the Launching Pad restaurant dies". Route 66 News.
  15. ↑ Ferak, John (May 14, 2019). "Once in Ruins, Route 66's Launching Pad Now Open Daily". Joliet Patch.
  16. ↑ "Price & Sales History". Coldwell Banker. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Launching Pad Restaurant PPP Loan, First Round". Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Launching Pad Restaurant PPP Loan, Second Round". Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Restaurant Revitalization Fund". U.S. Small Business Administration. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ Simon, Marney (December 21, 2022). "City's hands tied in Launching Pad debate" . Free Press Advocate. Wilmington. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Owner of Launching Pad restaurant damaged area around famed Gemini Giant: Wilmington police". ABC7 Chicago. January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  22. ↑ "The Launching Pad, Lot #1". Grafe Auction. Archived from the original on March 20, 2024.
  23. ↑ The Gemini Giant loaded onto a trailer after being sold at auction., March 20, 2024, retrieved January 31, 2026
  24. ↑ "UPDATE! Gemini Giant Staying in Wilmington! – Farmers Weekly Review". fwrnews.com. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  25. ↑ "What's That Building? The Gemini Giant". WBEZ. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Gemini Giant Homecoming". Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  27. ↑ "City Council Meeting Agenda - February 18, 2025" (PDF). City of Wilmington (PDF). pp. 32–33. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2025.
  28. ↑ Panieri, Rose (February 26, 2025). "Visitors center to open near Giant" (PDF). Free Press Advocate (PDF). p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2025.
  29. ↑ Vilt, Jeffrey (November 3, 2017). "Trademark/Service Mark Application No: 87670391". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  30. ↑ "ITU Unit Action". United States Patent and Trademark Office. December 21, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Official USPTO Notice of Abandonment". United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  32. ↑ "Official USPTO Notice of Abandonment". United States Patent and Trademark Office. October 1, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Suspension Notice". United States Patent and Trademark Office. September 16, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Official USPTO Notice of Abandonment". United States Patent and Trademark Office. July 17, 2023.
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