The World’s Largest Covered Wagon, complete with a figure of Abraham Lincoln riding it while reading a book, in Lincoln, Illinois, recently marked its 20th anniversary.
The wagon is one of those attractions that seems older than it is. However, the Lincoln Courier newspaper reports it indeed was created in 2001 by Old Abe enthusiast David Bentley.
Bentley said after having heart surgery he wanted to create something that would pay tribute to Abraham Lincoln and give back to those traveling on Route 66.
“I’m a railsplitter at heart and Abraham Lincoln is my hero,” said Bentley who spent about six months constructing the piece and used oak he purchased at a lumberyard in Carlinville, Illinois. […]
After a generous donation by Larry J. Van Bibber in January of 2007 the Logan County Tourism Bureau took ownership of the wagon and uses the icon to promote visits to Logan County and encourages those who travel Route 66 to stop and take a photo.
The wagon originally sat in Divernon, Illinois, but it was moved to Lincoln and Route 66 in 2007.
A severe windstorm damaged the wagon in 2014, but it was repaired just a few months later.
The wagon is 40 feet long,12 feet wide, 25 feet tall and weighs five tons. Yes, it’s listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
It sits between the American Legion Post and Old Route 66 in Lincoln, near the Hotel Lincoln Inn.
(Image of the World’s Largest Covered Wagon via Logan County Tourism)