Ohio has several objects that are the largest of their kind in the world, and one of the most recognizable is the world’s largest picnic basket, which you’ll find in Newark, Ohio. If Yogi the Bear were real, he’d be ecstatic! Let’s explore this huge picnic basket in Ohio!
If you drive along Ohio’s Route 16 just east of Newark, you won’t be able to miss this massive picnic basket that sits at 192 feet in length and 126 feet wide at its base, and the top is 208 feet long and 142 feet wide.
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The word “Longaberger” on the front represents the Longaberger Company, and this building was its headquarters. It was known for making baskets, pottery, iron products, and other home and lifestyle items. Their baskets have been used as gift baskets at events like The Academy Awards, The Emmy Awards, and the NAACP Image Awards.
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The design was challenging as the top floors are wider than the bottom ones. The handles weigh about 150 tons and can be heated in winter so that ice doesn’t fall onto the glass roof. The headquarters are no longer at this location, and it was listed for sale, however, the owner is now hoping to work with the upcoming Intel project to see if it can be used as temporary office space, a hotel, or market-rate housing.
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For a while, there were tours here and visitors could see some of the early basket designs and learn about the Longaberger Company’s history.
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By looking at this simple yet elegant interior, one would never know that they were inside a gigantic picnic basket! There are offices and more throughout the various levels.
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This is the factory where the baskets were woven by hand. At the nearby Longaberger Homestead in Dresden, visitors can get a demonstration of the basket-making process.
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These are some of the final products. These beautiful and durable baskets have been a favorite of collectors over the years, and come in a vast array of sizes and shapes which serve a great many purposes. Many people use them as household decorations due to their simple and homey beauty.
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Have you been to the Longaberger Building? How about some of the other bizarre roadside attractions in Ohio? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
Keith Ewing/Flickr
Ucumari photography/Flickr
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Carlos Cjnasc/Google
Austin Greenlee/Google
Nikhil Patel/Google
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Address: 1500 E Main St, Newark, OH 43055
