The Chester Teapot used to be not a pot, but a barrel.

In early 1900s, Hires Root Beer in Pennsylvania build it as an advertisement for their drink. It later served as a clubhouse for the Big Barrel Links miniature golf course. In 1938, William “Babe” Devon purchased this barrel and shipped it to Chester, West Virginia. His thinking was to convert it into another ad to attract people shopping his pottery. So he put on a spout and handle and there it goes.

Decades passed, the pottery shop is now nowhere to be found and this teapot is out of business. Fortunately, Chester City Council made an effort to maintain and renovate it in 1990s, replacing its spout, flooring, windows and doors. At some time point, the glass ball at the top went missing and was replaced as a basketball… later, kind local people customized a plastic ball and fixed it.

In 2015, the once-a-barrel teapot is in its best condition ever. Residents around has been caring for it and installed a relatively smaller creamer to accompany it.

You can find it along US 30, near Chester exit ramp.