One of Ohio’s most unusual landmarks is the famous Basket Building in Newark. Designed to look exactly like a giant Longaberger picnic basket, the seven-story structure was completed in 1997 as the headquarters of the Longaberger Company, a business known for its handcrafted baskets.
The building measures approximately 180,000 square feet and features two enormous basket handles that rise more than 100 feet above the roof. Company founder Dave Longaberger personally envisioned the structure, insisting that the headquarters should resemble the company’s best-selling Medium Market Basket.
After the Longaberger Company left the building in 2016, the unique landmark sat vacant for several years. However, its distinctive design continued to attract visitors, photographers, and architecture enthusiasts from around the world. New owners later began plans to restore and redevelop the property, preserving one of Ohio’s most recognizable roadside attractions.
Today, the Basket Building remains a symbol of creative architecture and entrepreneurial vision. Its one-of-a-kind design has earned it a place among America’s most memorable and unconventional buildings, proving that even an everyday object can become an unforgettable landmark.
