Napavine’s Pothole Becomes Historical Landmark and Space-Sized Icon

NAPAVINE, WA — In an unprecedented turn of events, Napavine’s legendary pothole on Rush Road has been declared both a Protected Historical Landmark and now officially large enough to be seen from space. Once merely an annoyance for local drivers, the ever-expanding crater—dubbed “Rushmore” by residents—has now entered the civic hall of fame and caught the attention of NASA. City leaders embraced the pothole’s fame, citing its cultural endurance, meme potential, and refusal to stay filled as reasons for its preservation.

NASA satellites recently confirmed the pothole’s visibility from low Earth orbit, prompting a flurry of national attention. Elon Musk even offered to land a Tesla in it, while Napavine officials began talks with Airbnb about listing it as a subterranean glamping destination. Local artists, influencers, and conspiracy theorists have rallied to the site, turning what was once road damage into a full-blown pilgrimage hotspot.

Despite concerns from residents with misaligned vehicles and missing patio furniture, Napavine is doubling down. Plans are underway for safety railings, T-shirt kiosks, and field trips under the theme “Geology and Government Inaction.” As the Mayor of Napavine put it, “Seattle has the Space Needle. We have the Space Hole—and honestly, it’s more grounded.”

—Dean