Strangest Roadside Attraction In Texas? A Giant Can Of Oatmeal.

Texas is home to many massive roadside attractions. We have massive boots, cowboys, sneakers, and even our own Easter Island. In one tiny Texas town, though, we have something I never would have expected. Texas is home to a massive can of oatmeal.

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Oatmeal, Texas Is Home To The State's Biggest Can Of Oatmeal

In the very tiny town of Oatmeal, Texas you will find a massive can of oatmeal. It stands 20ft tall and serves as a water tower of sorts. It's painted to look like a massive can of 3-minute oatmeal.

You might be forgiven for not noticing or knowing about the town itself. According to the information I found, about 20 people were calling Oatmeal, Texas home in 2000. Though the town is small, it has a ton of great history. It was home to the county's first cheese press and orchard.

Its name actually doesn't come from the breakfast food. Supposedly, it got its name from a translation of Habermill; haber being a version of the German word for oat. Others say it was named after a Mr. Othneil. He was the gristmill owner according to legend.

The Birth Of The Oatmeal Festival In Texas

Depending on who you ask, there are a couple of reasons why they decided to start having an oatmeal festival in Oatmeal, Texas in the '70s. The first reason is that it was made as a way to poke fun at all of the chili cookoffs and festivals that Texas is known for.

The second reason is that citizens noticed their tiny town had been removed from the map. In protest of this disappearance, they organized an oatmeal festival. Letters went out to oatmeal producers across the country. Legend has it that the only one to respond was National Oats.

The Giant Can Of Oatmeal Is Still Standing In Texas

The can of oatmeal still stands next to a big empty lot just off FM243. Supposedly, they still have the oatmeal festival every year. It's held around Labor Day weekend.

Of all the weird roadside attractions we have in this state, this one has to be one of my all-time favorites.