UPDATE: On August 9 at 11:34 am the following announcement and photo went up on Facebook:
The Sanazaros announced their farewell via Facebook on August 9, 2016 at 11:34 am.
The announcement of the closing of the The Outpost US66 General Store was accompanied by this photo and announcement.
Farewell from Fanning 66 Outpost, General Store, Archery and feed. Due to economic conditions, effective Thursday August 11th we are officially closed for business. It was a pleasure to serve the Crawford county community for 9 years. Special thanks to all our customers, suppliers , and employees. God bless.
Danny and Carolyn Sanazaro
If you have any questions regarding lay away items, prepaid feed, gift certificates or personal property left in the building please call
573-885 1474 and leave a message. We will promptly return your call.Below, you will find some of the history of the store and the beloved rocker.
The World’s Largest Rocking Chair is now lit at night.
April 1, Fanning, MO: On April 1, 2008 two cranes lifted the World’s Largest Rocking Chair onto the rockers that welder Joe Medwick had already put in place. Medwick then welded the chair onto the rockers. Channel 5’s Heidi Glaus and her videographer were on hand to film the rocker raising and to interview owners Dan and Carolyn Sanazaro and their kids. When Glaus called Carolyn early that morning to say that they would be coming to Fanning to film the rocker raising, Carolyn thought it was some of her friends playing an April Fool’s Joke on her.
Channel 5’s cameraman filmed welder Joe Medwick as he welded the rocker into place.
You can read about it in the Cuba Free Press article “Channel 5 films rocker raising.” Or you can see a snippet of video here. Another article “Giant Rocker constructed at Fanning” tells how three men, Dan Sanazaro, John Bland, and Joe Medwick teamed up to produce the rocker.
Hieidi Glaus of Channel 5 poses for a photo with the Sanazaro kids who got to stay home from school on the day the rocker was raised on Route 66.
In 2009, the Guinness organization officially designated the rocker as the World’s Largest Rocking chair.” It was in preparation for the Guinness application that Medwick cut the welds to the rocker so that it could be filmed rocking for the application process. The official dimensions are 42’1″ tall, 20’3″ wide, and 27,500 lbs.
UPDATE: The Guinness Organization now features the Fanning Rocker in its hardback version of its records.
In the two years since the Rocker was lifted into place next to the Fanning US 66 Outpost General Store as a roudside attraction to bring in customers, a Rt. 66 mural by John Bland has been added to the outside of the building, the Archery Range is a thriving business, as is the Taxidermy Center. Travelers stop for a photo and enjoy everything that the store has to offer.
Day or night, The Outpost is an attractive addition to Route 66.
When Viva Cuba members meet groups for mural tours, a stop of the rocker is often a requested part of the itinerary.
The Rocker has taken its place in community events.
After a number of years having the Picture on the Rocker day in August, insurance concerns caused them to cease this popular practice in 2015.. People were lifted to the rocker seat in ducally in groups and could take photos.
In September, archers gather for the Iron Buck Archery Tournament.
In the spring, usually in March, it is the destination JOG,inc.’s 4-mile Route 66 Race to the Rocker. In 2010, 433 racers ran to the Rocker for the annual group photo. In 2012, the race takes place on Saturday, March 31, to raise money for local charities. Check the Race to the Rocker website for details.
Local students study the rocker during Missouri History Days, and teachers report the rocker is a popular topic for discussion.
The Fanning Community and Cuba, MO, just 4-miles from the rocker, are proud of the rocker’s place in local history. Citizens love showing off the rocker and the well-run businesses next to it. Danny and Carolyn Sanazaro have had a lot of fun and worked hard at their business.
Viva Cuba salutes their work and wishes the Guinness World’s Largest Rocking Chair a happy 2nd birthday.
John Bland, Joe Medwick, and Danny Sanazaro stood together the day the rocker was raised on Route 66.
The latest award given to the Rocker:
The Route 66 Rocker received the Best Off Beat Attraction Award from Rural Missouri. The Rocker, now known as the Route 66 Red Rocker received this award again in 2016, It is a Missouri Landmark.
After having its record as the World’s Largest eclipsed by a rocker in Casey, Illinois, as part of a expansion on the grounds of the Fanning General Store, the rocker was painted red, with a record of its past designation painted on a plaque. The rocker continues to be a unique Route 66 attraction and a center of community events, such as the Route 66 Race to the Red Rocker in March when 100s race 4-miles from historic Cuba to the rocker to raise money for community non-profits.
Route 66 Red Rocker at the Fanning US66 General Store-Cuba, MO. Angie Parrett photo.
To contact the Sanazaros at the Fanning US 66 Outpost General Store and check hours call 573-885-1474, email f660@misn.com, or visit the website at www.fanning66outpost.com. Visit their website for updated event information.
[…] The World’s Largest Rocker at Fanning 66 Outpost near Cuba, Mo., recently marked its second birthday. For the record, the chair’s dimensions are 42 feet, 1 inch in height, 20 feet, 3 inches […]
A “must see” for anyone traveling that area! Just minutes off the highway.
We agree. The store and 4-plex archery center are definitely worth a look too. The store has a great selection of Route 66 merchandise as well as other decor items.
My company filmed this chair for inclusion in the America travels Television Show. Owners are friendly and nice.
Yes, they are. They are always happy to see any visitors from along the road. Their store is a popular spot for locals as well.
How much are they asking for the place?