Drove down, from Wichita, to the site on Tuesday, the 19th of August, 2025. We found the spacecraft in pretty poor shape. Nearby construction had left a thick layer of road-dust on the capsule and the ditch was full of mud.
The fact of its being there still. After all these years did leave us with a distinct sense of awe regardless. Oh, the questions I would love to ask a NASA official about this artifact!
From a strictly tourist's point-of-view, we were appalled by the complete lack of ADA compliance and accessibility. The absence of a visitors' center or a giftshop was also quite puzzling. ;^) Lol
As of July 2025 it was still there but in bad need of a paint job. The road was being resurfaced and slightly widened so it made me wonder how much longer the object will be left in place. It was a fun trip to seek out and find it.
Placed there via Miller Concrete - Nowata, OK back in November, 1971. Work was being done on the Winganon Bridge when the driver hit a patch of black ice. The Truck crossed the lane of traffic as it was Eastbound from 169 in transit with a full load.
Has been painted as a US Flag, All White, All Black, As an Easter Egg ( The kids whom painted it that used color washing paint that would wash off in a few days. Didn't take into thought the weather Saturday Night before Easter and the 4 1/2" that fell complete washed it off so noone was able to see it in it's beautiful easter egg form in the daylight. 1992)
While this is a whimsical stop, just know that it is on the side of a two lane highway. There is not a parking lot or shoulder. If you visit this spot, be paying attention to traffic!
A traffic accident t with a concrete mixer in 1971 has turned into a unique landmark on the side of a rural highway. Someone painted it to resemble the steel drum as a space capsule.
This is a cool FREE roadside attraction that may soon disappear!
You need to see this now, as a soon to begin road construction project threatens to remove it permanently.
This is a quirky thing to check out, however, I wouldn't make a special trip just for bragging rights. The pictures you've seen of it pretty much tell the tale. Nevertheless, if you see other places along the way then certainly drop by. Places I incorporated into this trip included the Galloway Totem Park, the old church/school house off Highway 28 and the old buildings of Chelsea. Thus, the capsule by itself is a 2-3 star experience, but for me, with the other stops, a 5 star trip. Tap on photo to convert to full size.
I had no idea what this was. It was exciting to see because, for a moment, I thought I was looking at a real piece of a spacecraft. It looks like there could be astronauts inside! Cool photo opp.
In 1959 a cement truck crashed and it's been here since. People painted it to look like a space capsule - genius. It really does look like one. You can park in the entry to a farmer's field about 50 yards away.
Very creative way to draw attention to a large piece of garbage no one wants to move from the side of the road. Kids think it is cool. Number listed on the back is to NASA! Ditch around "capsule" gets muddy and holds water. I would recommend going when it has not rained in a little while. Good parking is in the drive near the capsule that keeps car off the road with only a short walk. Be mindful that this drive is used by a local farmer and be prepared to move quickly if needed.
This is really cool! But it really needs to be fixed up some, like repairing the hole in side, a fresh coat of paint, and refreshing the signs on it, maybe putting some kind of barrier around it, and still being able to take pictures, still worth the drive to see it though!
The story behind this is really interesting. A concrete truck turned over here in 1959. By the time the wrecker arrived, the concrete had hardened and it was too heavy to rescue both truck and mixer, so they decided to take the truck and come back for the mixer. The mixer was obviously was forgotten, but has lived a colorful life, nevertheless. Growing up in the area, every time we would pass it there would be some new graffiti on its side. A few years ago a couple revamped it into a space capsule in honor of their anniversary. It’s not just some random art in the middle of nowhere, but a tribute to creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance.
This is a random piece of art on the side of the road. Parking was a little tricky because the road has no shoulder and a steep drop off so I had to park my car about 25 yards away at an intersection. Right next to the shuttle there is a tiny bit of a shoulder but not much. I wasn't willing to chance it with my Prius. Definitely worth the drive to see this. There is some graffiti with 2017 dates so it appears that this is well-maintained.
