This Tiny City in Illinois is Known as ‘Superman’s Hometown’

One of the most iconic comic book heroes is an integral part of a small town recessed deep in the southernmost region of Illinois.

The town Metropolis, IL was officially named the "Hometown of Superman" on June 9th, 1972, following the Illinois State Legislature passing Resolution 572. The city itself has a 15-foot-tall bronze statue of Superman, which sits in front of the courthouse, as well as a Lois Lane statue nearby. But even that's not all. The town is also home to a massive museum dedicated to all things Superman.

Fittingly named the Super Museum, it opened its doors in 1993, and remains family owned and operated to this day. Per the Super Museum's website, it features over 70,000 items from the private collection of Jim Hambrick, who has amassed quite possibly the largest batch of Superman memorabilia to be found anywhere in the world.

You don't have to search too deeply to find a plethora of videos documenting this modern marvel, which features virtually every Superman toy ever produced, as well as movie props and promotional materials from every Superman TV series. This includes Smallville, Supergirl, Superman & Lois, and more.

If that wasn't enough, the Super Museum also features one of the only George Reeves Superman costumes that still exists to this day. The museum itself has been profiled in various forms of media since its inception:

The Super Museum has received many honors as well including being awarded "#1 Small Town Attraction In America". It has also been proudly featured on television on the shows The Daily Show, Entertainment Tonight, EXTRA, Treasures in your Home, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, "Kovel's on Collecting", TNN, 'E' Entertainment Television, & Unsolved Mysteries, Collector's Call, Mysteries at a Museum, as well as dozens of documentary and News programs around the world. - per the Super Museum's website

The town of Metropolis is deeply entrenched in the lore of Superman, so much so that every year, on the second weekend of June, Superman fans gather for the annual Superman Celebration. The multi-day event has food/comic/craft vendors, and even special guest appearances from celebrities. Next year's will be held June 13th - 15th.

Even the town newspaper is named The Metropolis Planet, a nod to The Daily Planet in the Superman comics!

Despite the fact that Metropolis, IL is about as far removed from Chicago as you can be while still being in the same state, I'm still astonished that I never heard of it, nor the Super Museum, until today. You can learn more about the museum and see more photos on its official website.