You may not believe me, but I WAS not looking for a roadside attraction when my family passed by this unique building in Bakersfield, California.
We were on our way through an intersection on our epic California road trip, when I spotted this 25 feet tall, 32 feet long, big shoe repair shop roadside attraction. I don’t think I’ve ever grabbed my camera as quickly as I did when I spotted the shoe. I fumbled with the lens cap, pointed, shot and managed to get one photo. I wanted to get a closer look, but my husband refused to drive around the block.
The grayish building, was built in 1947 by Chester Deschwanden, who worked as what else? A shoe repairman. When he died, his son, Donald who had worked at his father’s side since he was nine, took over the business which he ran for 40 years before his death in 1992.
The building was deserted for more than a decade before it was purchased by a Mexican businessman and restored as a shoe repair business. The building has been featured in several magazines and books that have featured unique buildings. Unique, it is but do you know what makes this building extra special? It’s the only shoe-shaped building in America with shoelaces.
You can see the Big Shoe Repair Shop Roadside Attraction at 931 Chester Ave in Bakersfield, California and don’t be too quick to put your camera away, you’ll find a giant pressure canner or stock pot a few houses down. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a photo of that one and as I already mentioned, my husband didn’t want to turn around.
Have you seen the Big Shoe?
© 2014 – 2016, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
Gail says
I have seen this building many times, I used to live in Bakersfield as a child would be in ‘awe’ of this shoe -I have never been in it, but I sure remember it – I was born in 1958 and left Bakersfield when I was 12 and have often thought of this unique building since – never have seen anything like it since – I guess I will never forget it
Tonya says
It’s certainly a unique building and hard to miss! Thanks for sharing your memory of the building. 🙂
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) says
Whenever I see an attraction like this, I think of my father-in-law. He was the one person that was always interested in stopping at places like this and always asking questions so he could get the whole story about it.
Tonya says
I think I’m more interested then my teens are but I keep telling myself that one day, they will appreciate all the roadside attractions I drug them too. 🙂
Jennifer @ My Sweet Sanity says
I love all of these cheesy, corny types of vacation stops. They always make for great photo stories.
Kait says
How fun is this! My mom would love to check a crazy building out like this one.
trisha says
Oh gosh, its even funnier about the can shaped one down the road!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I’ve never seen it, but leave it to you to find out. You have a knack for these things!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I have not seen the Big Shoe, but I’d certainly notice that! It reminds me that we used to have a shoe repair shop here, a loooooong time ago. They closed up and I truthfully don’t know where people go to get shoes repaired now.
Tonya says
I don’t know many people that get their shoes repaired anymore so I was surprised to see that they reopened this building as another shoe repair business. It certainly is worth driving past though.
Melissa says
I have not seen it, but what a creative idea!
Jenn says
Fun! I’d love to see all these roadside things. If only I didn’t hate being in the car so much. Maybe an RV instead?
Michelle says
That’s so cool! I love neat attractions like this.
Kay M. says
I LOVE this kind of stuff! There’s a huge watering can at a nursery near us. Fortunately my husband will accomodate my crazy little whims most of the time.
Donna says
No, I’ve never even been to California, but I love it!
Kerri says
I have never seen it but I bet it was fun to see in person. Makes you want to stop the car and get out and see.
Tammilee says
So much fun! We love roadside attractions. I always try to get my Husband to stop so I can take a pictures.
Crystal Green says
This definitely would be a great idea. That Mexican certainly should be busy for sure. I’d have to go inside just to see how it’s laid out inside.
Digna D. says
Talk about a eye catcher. Certainly draws your attention. Not the best looking building in the world but a very cool idea.
Angela says
Oh my, that building is a little unsightly. But, it will sure get your attention!
Toni says
Ha! That is awesome. I Have never seen that or heard of it before this post.
Jennifer @ Mom Spotted says
That’s so funny. We often drive by attractions like this and my hubby refuses to snap too!
Robyn says
Ha! How absolutely cool is this? Your kids get to see such cool stuff!
Jamie H says
Looks like a place we would have stopped when I was younger and went on road trips with my family.
Melissa says
Ha, this is so awesome! I love seeing unique attractions like this.
Megan @ That Neat Blog says
Oh wow, this looks so cool. I’ve never seen it but if we road trip close by it will be a stop we have to take!