The International Banana Museum
In Mecca, California, on the shores of the Salton Sea, a yellow building houses the world's largest collection devoted to a single fruit. The International Banana Museum contains over 25,000 banana-related items: banana-shaped telephones, banana costumes, banana artwork, banana toys, banana clocks, banana cookie jars, and the original banana from the Velvet Underground's 1967 album cover (allegedly). The museum was founded by Ken Bannister (known as 'Top Banana'), who began collecting in 1972 after receiving a roll of Chiquita stickers. In 2010, the collection was sold and moved from Southern California to the desert, where it now occupies a bright yellow building that's impossible to miss. Visitors can buy banana splits, banana-flavored candy, and, of course, banana souvenirs. It's absurd, it's sincere, and it's one of America's most gloriously single-minded roadside attractions. 'Any monkey can collect things,' read the museum's motto. 'It takes a man to collect banana things.'
The Collector
Ken Bannister founded the International Banana Club in 1972 after receiving a roll of Chiquita banana stickers. He started giving them out to make people smile, and soon banana-themed items began arriving in his mail. By 1976, he had enough to open a museum in Altadena, California. Over four decades, Bannister accumulated over 17,000 banana-related items: toys, art, kitchenware, clothing, music, furniture, and gifts from the club's 35,000 members. The collection earned a Guinness World Record for the largest devoted to a single fruit. In 2010, the collection was sold and eventually moved to the Salton Sea area, where space was cheap and weirdness was welcome.
The Collection
The museum contains over 25,000 items, though not all are on display. Highlights include: a petrified banana claimed to be 15,000 years old; the original Andy Warhol banana sticker from the Velvet Underground album (authenticity disputed); a banana-shaped car; banana-shaped telephones from multiple eras; banana costumes worn by the founder; banana-themed artwork from folk artists and professionals; banana candy from around the world; and countless banana-shaped household items that no rational person would need. The collection is organized roughly by category, though the sheer volume creates chaos. New items are added regularly, donated by visitors or purchased by the current owner.
The Experience
Visiting the International Banana Museum is overwhelming. The small building is packed floor-to-ceiling with banana items, yellow on yellow, an assault of a single color and shape. A snack bar serves banana splits, banana milk shakes, and banana-flavored candies. The gift shop sells banana merchandise - some vintage, some contemporary, all banana. The staff (often just the owner) enthusiastically explains favorite items. The overall effect is joyful absurdity: who knew there were so many banana-shaped things in the world? Who knew someone would dedicate their life to collecting them? The museum answers questions you never thought to ask.
The Location
The museum moved to North Shore, on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea, in 2019. The location is odd - the Salton Sea is an ecological disaster area, its shores littered with dead fish and abandoned resorts. But the area has attracted artists and eccentrics priced out of more conventional locations. Salvation Mountain is nearby, as is East Jesus, a desert art installation. The International Banana Museum fits the aesthetic: strange, sincere, slightly decayed. The yellow building stands out against the brown desert, visible from Highway 111. It's become a stop on the Salton Sea weird-art circuit.
Visiting the International Banana Museum
The International Banana Museum is located at 98775 Highway 111 in North Shore, California, on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea. Hours vary; check before visiting or call ahead. Admission is charged (or free with purchase). The snack bar serves banana-themed food and drinks. The gift shop sells banana merchandise and vintage items from the collection. Salvation Mountain is 15 miles south; East Jesus is adjacent. Palm Springs is 40 miles northwest. The nearest commercial airport is Palm Springs International. The drive through the Salton Sea basin is desolate but fascinating. Combine with Salvation Mountain and Bombay Beach for a full day of desert weirdness.
From the Air
Located at 33.50°N, 115.93°W on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea in California. From altitude, the Salton Sea dominates - a large saline lake in the desert, its shores lined with abandoned structures and agricultural runoff. The museum is in North Shore, a small community on Highway 111. The yellow building may be visible against the brown terrain. Palm Springs is 40 miles northwest. The Imperial Valley agricultural area is to the south. The terrain is below sea level, desert surrounding an improbable lake. Palm Springs International Airport is the nearest commercial service.