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Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois

I have a confession to make: I have licked a public watermelon. Yes, it’s true. I went to take a picture with the Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois, stuck out my tongue to “pretend” to be eating it, and accidentally licked it. It tasted metallic.

Lesson learned: I would highly recommend against licking any of the silly tourist attractions I describe here.

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

Unless, I suppose, it’s something like the world’s largest lollipop…

Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois Route 66 roadside attraction

There are many weird Abraham Lincoln monuments and this just might be one of the most bizarre memorials and silliest Illinois sights I have ever come across: the Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument.

Yes, my silly American friends, this Lincoln monument is a pink and green slice of watermelon dedicated to our sixteenth president and the christening of Lincoln, Illinois. That’s it.

As the story goes, on August 27, 1853 the first sale of lots in the new town of Lincoln, Illinois, took place near where the watermelon monument now stands. Abraham Lincoln, in whose honor the town had been named, was present and was asked to officially christen the town. He chose a watermelon from a nearby pile, cut into it with his pocketknife, and then bumped it on a pile of lumber. He squeezed the juice into a tin cup, gave a brief speech, and christened the town.

In celebration of that fateful day, the town constructed this monument in the shape of a slice of watermelon. Definitely one of the weirdest sites I’ve seen and it certainly would be the highlight of any road trip through Illinois. Just remember, as yummy as this watermelon statue looks, try not to lick it.

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Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois Route 66 roadside attraction
Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois Route 66 roadside attraction
Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois Route 66 roadside attraction
Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois Route 66 roadside attraction

Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument 2007

Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois
Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois
Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois
Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument in Lincoln, Illinois

Looking for more Abraham Lincoln monuments in Illinois? Check out the railsplitter statue, Lincoln on the world’s largest covered wagon, Lincoln’s lucky nose, and the world’s tallest Abraham Lincoln statue!


Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument

Location: Lincoln Station, 101 N Chicago St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Cost: Free to see.
Hours: Always visible.


Pin this Illinois roadside attraction:

The Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument - a metal watermelon roadside attraction displayed in honor of president Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln, Illinois. This weird roadside attraction is a must for your Illinois road trip itinerary or travel bucket list. Add it to the places to visit on your weekend getaway in Illinois.  #RoadTrips #RoadTripStop #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #IllinoisRoute66 #Illinois #IllinoisRoadTrip #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAmerica #RoadTrip
The Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument - a metal watermelon roadside attraction displayed in honor of president Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln, Illinois. This weird roadside attraction is a must for your Illinois road trip itinerary or travel bucket list. Add it to the places to visit on your weekend getaway in Illinois.  #RoadTrips #RoadTripStop #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #IllinoisRoute66 #Illinois #IllinoisRoadTrip #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAmerica #RoadTrip

VALerie BROMANN

Founder & Head Road Tripper

Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up near Berwyn's famed car kabob, The Spindle, and a restaurant with a cow on its roof, her fascination with roadside attractions started early. Today, Val has visited hundreds roadside attractions across the United States and is constantly on the lookout for the next BIG thing!

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.