The chime's longest tube weighs approximately 1,000 pounds.
The structure requires sustained wind speeds to produce a consistent musical sound naturally.
It is one of several 'Big Things' in Casey, which includes the world's largest rocking chair and golf tee.
The project was engineered to withstand high wind loads without structural failure.
It is constructed primarily from repurposed industrial materials sourced from local oil wells.
The chime is tuned to a specific musical note, though this note shifts depending on environmental temperature.
The Guinness World Record was maintained for years, though records for 'largest' often involve updated measurements and new installations globally.
The chime is located directly in front of the Big Things in a Small Town gift shop.
The World's Largest Wind Chime is a 55-foot-tall, functional musical structure located in Casey, Illinois. It was certified as the world's largest by Guinness World Records upon its completion in 2011. The installation consists of five hollow metal tubes, the longest of which measures 42 feet. The chimes are rung by the wind, producing a low-frequency tone that can be heard throughout the town center. It is part of the Big Things in a Small Town attraction series created by local businessman Jim Bolin to revitalize the local economy. The structure is built from oil field piping, reflecting the town's industrial history. Visitors can trigger the chimes manually using a specific rope mechanism located on the ground. It is situated in an open-air public space, allowing for year-round viewing.
From the sidewalk directly across the street to capture the full vertical scale of the tubes against the sky.
Pull the rope located at the base to manually activate the chimes if the wind is too calm.
Combine your visit with a walking tour of the other 'Big Things' sculptures located within the same three-block radius.
Check the local gift shop for a map of all large-scale installations in the town.
Do not attempt to climb the structure or handle any loose machinery parts.
