The Odd Lincoln Statue at the Illinois State Fair

Ever been on a road trip and spotted something so unusual you had to do a double-take? Well, Illinois has one of those roadside attractions, and it just might be one of the strangest in the state.

Illinois’ Strangest Roadside Attraction

Reader’s Digest recently put together a list of the quirkiest roadside attractions in each state, and the one they picked for Illinois will have you scratching your head and asking, “Is this for real?”

Where to Find the Abe Lincoln Rail Splitter Statue

The Abe Lincoln Rail Splitter Statue in Springfield made the list. Standing 30 feet tall, the statue depicts Abraham Lincoln without his iconic beard and holding an axe. You can check out this unusual roadside attraction at Gate 1 of the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

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This particular statue has stood at its spot on the Illinois State Fairgrounds since the late 1960s. So, if you’ve ever entered the fair through Gate 1, you’ve probably seen it up close.

History of the 30-Foot Illinois Statue

Honestly, if there wasn’t a plaque or some kind of description explaining who it’s supposed to be, I don’t think I’d ever guess it was Abraham Lincoln. Without his iconic beard and signature black hat, it looks more like a random figure you’d walk past and wonder, “Who on earth is that supposed to be?”

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You’ll have to wait until next fair season to see this unusual roadside attraction. The Illinois State Fair just wrapped up over the weekend, but if you find yourself there next year, you might want to snap a picture with this iconic, if slightly odd, landmark.

LOOK: Route 66’s quirkiest and most wonderful attractions state by state

Stacker compiled a list of 50 attractions--state by state--to see along the drive, drawing on information from historic sites, news stories, Roadside America, and the National Park Service. Keep reading to discover where travelers can get their kicks on Route 66.

Gallery Credit: Kery Wiginton