In Divernon, Ill., there’s a big Abraham Lincoln figure that sits on a gigantic covered wagon, right off Route 66. The wagon is 40 feet long, 20 feet tall, and the wheels alone are 10 feet tall. It weighs five tons. You can see and read about the Giant Lincoln on a Covered Wagon at the Roadside America site.
According to the Lincoln (Ill.) Courier, the wagon’s owner wants to sell it, but wishes it would remain on Route 66. Geoff Ladd of the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County — the one who got the ball rolling to save The Mill — wants to buy it and move it to Lincoln.
Ladd says he already has $3,000 to $4,000 in pledges to cover the $12,000 it would take to buy the wagon and move it. Ladd asked the Lincoln City Council to contribute money to the effort and provide input on the wagon’s final site — preferably near Route 66.
Ladd wants a quick decision from the council, as he fears the wagon will be snapped up by Springfield tourism supporters. But between Ladd’s enthusiasm, his track record in getting things done and several city officials’ intrigue with the idea, I wouldn’t be surprised Lincoln lands the Big Lincoln and his Big Wagon.
It doesn’t surprise me that the good folks in Lincoln would be considering this. They are fast becoming one of the premier cities in regards to 66 preservation.
Perhaps Divernon should get involved. They have a nice site right there in their city square park.