The Complete Story
John and Bernice Korelc opened a Dari-Delight restaurant in the late 1950s at 810 E. Baltimore Street. In 1965, inspired by America's fascination with the Space Race, they paid $3,500 at the National Restaurant Association convention for a 438-pound fiberglass Muffler Man figure. They had the statue outfitted as an astronaut with helmet and rocket, expanded their business, and rebranded it as 'The Launching Pad.'
A naming contest was held at the local grade school, and fifth grader Cathy Thomas's suggestion of 'Gemini Giant' was selected as the winner, linking the statue to the then-current Gemini space program. Standing 30 feet tall, the Gemini Giant became one of the most photographed landmarks on Route 66. International Fiberglass made at least two other astronauts from the same molds, but the Gemini Giant is the only known survivor.
The Korelcs retired in 1986. The restaurant changed hands several times, briefly closed in 2012, was revived in 2018 by Tully Garrett and Holly Barker, but closed permanently in 2022. In 2024, the Gemini Giant was auctioned for $275,000, purchased by the Joliet Area Historical Museum using a state grant, and donated to Wilmington. After restoration, the statue was unveiled at South Island Park on November 30, 2024.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ The 438-pound Gemini Giant cost only $3,500 when purchased in 1965 - it sold at auction for $275,000 in 2024
→ A fifth-grader named Cathy Thomas won the contest to name the statue 'Gemini Giant'
→ It is the ONLY surviving astronaut Muffler Man - at least two others were made but didn't survive
→ Inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2000
→ The statue was restored and re-unveiled at South Island Park on November 30, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit The Launching Pad Drive-In
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: 810 E Baltimore St, Wilmington, IL 60481
What's There Now: The Launching Pad restaurant closed in 2022. The Gemini Giant was auctioned in 2024 and is now installed at South Island Park in Wilmington after restoration. A visitor's center called 'The Landing Pad' operated by the Joliet Area Historical Museum is scheduled to open in May 2025.
GPS Coordinates: 41.310504, -88.138529
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
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