You may be wondering why this aluminum statue of a watermill is on display outside of the old train station in Lincoln, Illinois. As it turns out, this is a very historical location.The sign associated with the watermelon statue outside of the old train station explains the story that occurred near here.On August 27, 1853 Lincoln was asked by a land-sale promoter to allow them to name the town site there “Lincoln”. The future president said that he never knew anything named Lincoln that amounted to much,” but agreed to the christening. Mr. Lincoln used a watermelon for the event, and the sign explains the tale in detail.
This aluminum statue of a watermelon in Lincoln, IL commemorates the naming of the town by Abraham Lincoln. Associates of Lincoln suggested the name, and the future president christened the town by pouring juice from a watermelon that had been scooped out with a tin cup. Mr. Lincoln is reported to have said at the moment, “I’ve never known anything by the name of Lincoln that has ever amounted to much.”
