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.
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Unless, I suppose, it’s something like the world’s largest lollipop…
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.
Abraham Lincoln Watermelon Monument 2007
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.
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