World's Largest Railsplitter Covered Wagon | Lincoln, IL
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Happy birthday to the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln! Growing up in the Land of Lincoln, I had a lot of exposure to the legacy of the Great Emancipator1. Today though, we’re headed to the aptly named Lincoln, Illinois where you’ll find the World’s Largest Covered Wagon.
Like any true millennial, I’m not stranger to the prairie schooners of the Oregon Trail. But this oversized wagon would take a lot more than four oxen to help you successfully ford a river. Thankfully, Lincoln is hundreds of miles from the start of the epic route. Instead, the World’s Largest Covered Wagon overlooks another iconic roadway: historic Route 66.
Fast Facts
Built: 2001
Height: 25 feet tall
Length: 40 feet long & 12 feet wide
Fun Fact: The wagon’s wheels actually function. In the past, a tractor was used to pull the covered wagon when it needed to be moved.
The History of the World’s Largest Covered Wagon
Located along Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois, the World’s Largest Covered Wagon was built in 2001 by local resident David Bentley. Like any true labor of love, the project initially began as something for Bentley to do while recovering from heart surgery. He crafted the Railsplitter Covered Wagon by hand using steel and locally-sourced Illinois oak. Ultimately, Bentley completed the project to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Route 662.
A fan of the country’s 16th President, Bentley decided to add a 12-foot fiberglass Abraham Lincoln — built by FAST Fiberglass in Sparta, Wisconsin — to the wagon’s behemoth bench seat. The giant Lincoln has the President’s typical beard as well as stovepipe top hat, and appears to be reading a book simply called “Law.”
Guinness World Records officially named the Railsplitter Covered Wagon the “world’s largest” after Bentley completed its construction in 2001. At the time, the World’s Largest Covered Wagon stood in front of his home in Divernon, Illinois. However, in 2007, local philanthropist Larry Van Bibber purchased the wagon from Bentley and donated it to the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County. It was then moved to another location in the community before, in 2009, it came to rest at its current spot along Route 66.
Why the big Lincoln?
Even before this roadside oddity, Lincoln was no stranger to Logan County. Between 1847 and 1859 he traveled to the area frequently as a circuit riding lawyer on the 8th Judicial Circuit. In fact, Lincoln, Illinois is the only town in the country that was named for Lincoln before he became president. It’s said that Lincoln initially tried to dissuade the community from using his name, reportedly claiming that “nothing bearing the name of Lincoln ever amounted to much.” Despite that, its name (and many, many others) stuck.
What is a “Railsplitter”?
While you might have assumed, like I did, that this term refers to the type of wagon, it’s actually a historical nickname of Abraham Lincoln’s. He gained this unique nickname during the 1860 presidential election for his ability to “split the rail” between the country’s divided political parties.
Thankfully, lots of us had this same question. So, the folks at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee — the only collegiate team known as the “Railsplitters” — have an entire page of its website dedicated to this piece of Lincoln lore.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re driving Route 66 or just in the area exploring, the World’s Largest Covered Wagon is an easy pit stop. You’ll find the giant wagon parked on the front lawn of the Hotel Lincoln Inn3. The attraction faces Route 66 and has ample parking thanks to the neighboring hotel and American Legion.
If you’re visiting during the winter, you may notice that the canvas cover on the wagon is missing. This helps keep the roadside attraction safe until milder weather returns in the spring.
Address: World’s Largest Railsplitter Covered Wagon, 1750 5th St., Lincoln, IL 62656
While you’re in Lincoln, there are a few other offbeat stops you could make, including:
The Lincoln Watermelon Monument (101 N. Chicago St., Lincoln, Illinois, 62656), which commemorates Abraham Lincoln dedicating the town in his name. Since Lincoln didn’t drink alcohol, he instead sprinkled watermelon juice on the ground to officially christen the newly platted town. An interesting choice? Absolutely.
An easy-to-spot Phone Booth on a Roof (700 Broadway St., Lincoln, Illinois, 62656). According at Atlas Obscura, this phone booth was placed atop the local fire station during the 1960s to monitor inclement weather. While radar technology has improved and the phone is no longer in use, the unusual booth remains.
Seriously. The family of one of my childhood best friend’s celebrated Lincoln’s birthday every year with birthday cake and freshly-minted pennies (RIP, new pennies. Maybe?).
If you can believe it, the Route 66 centennial will be in 2026. There’s already all sorts of fanfare in the works, including an official commission formed by Congress to plan the festivities.
If you’re actually looking for someplace to stay in Lincoln, online reviews lead me to believe this isn’t the best option. It looks like the area has lots of other well-rated accommodations though!