The Big Chair, Marketing landmark in Anacostia, Washington DC, United States
The Big Chair is an oversized aluminum replica of a Duncan Phyfe-style seat, standing at the corner of Martin Luther King Avenue and V Street in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington DC. It rises about 19 feet (6 meters) from the ground and is visible from the sidewalk on both streets.
The original wooden version was put up in 1959 by Curtis Brothers Furniture to draw attention to their store at a time when roadside objects were a common form of advertising. The current aluminum version replaced the original after it deteriorated and was installed in the same spot.
The chair is a familiar reference point for people in Anacostia and works as a neighborhood landmark that locals use to give directions. Its presence on this corner has made it part of everyday life in the area for decades.
The structure sits on a public street corner and is easy to reach on foot, with nearby bus stops and shops along both streets. Morning light tends to fall directly on the front of the chair, which makes it a good time for photos.
In 1960, a woman named Rebecca Kirby spent over a month living in a small cubicle built on top of the chair as a publicity stunt for the furniture store. Her stay attracted considerable press attention at the time and helped cement the chair's place in neighborhood memory.
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