Giant Hot Dog

14-ton hot dog measuring 42 feet from weiner tip to weiner tip, with a 34-foot bun.

Designer Marcus R. Shannon patented its design (#204,372, April 12, 1966) and he and partner Lloyd Williams dreamed of building a whole chain of 16 of these hot dogs across Denver. This hot dog appeared at 4190 West Colfax Avenue in Denver in 1966, but the chain was no go. Beverly and Jan Slager had faith in this Paul Bunyan-sized snack stand, however, and toted it here to the Aspen Park area in 1970, much to the chagrin of local residents. Over time however locals came to embrace their hot dog and were really concerned when it went up for sale in 1999, but it was sold to a new owner for $765,000 who has since been taking care of it. [Richard J. Gardner, 11/25/2003]