The Man of Steel’s Small-Town Home
May 2024
Finding Superman in Rural Illinois
On our way through Illinois, the sign “Metropolis: Home of Superman!” got our attention. We just had to make a quick visit. Metropolis, IL, turned out to be a quiet Midwestern rural town, having nothing in common with the fictional, densely populated urban area with towering skyscrapers.
We learned that the city’s connection with the Man of Steel began in 1972 when the Illinois House of Representatives officially declared Metropolis, IL, the “Home of Superman.” In 1993, enthusiastic fan Jim Hambrick brought his illustrious private collection to Metropolis and opened the Super Museum. The same year, the giant, 15-foot Superman statue was unveiled on the town square. Every year, Metropolis hosts the Superman Celebration in June, a four-day event that attracts Superman fans from around the world.
Sure, the city’s connection with the Man of Steel might be a bit of charming hype, but the detour was a delightful stop for Superman fans like us to witness a town fully embracing its namesake.
