Railsplitter Covered Wagon, Lincoln, Illinois

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (2 votes)
1750 5th St, 62656 Lincoln , Illinois
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 on the Route 66

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Quick Facts for Route 66 Travelers

  • 🆓 Free to visit and open 24/7 — no tickets, no fences, just walk up and enjoy
  • ⏱️ The wagon is over 24 feet long and 12 feet tall
  • 📍 Located on the grounds of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, just off Route 66
  • 📏 Features a 12-foot-tall Abraham Lincoln seated at the front, reading a law book
  • 🏗️ Built in 2001 by artist David Bentley in rural Divernon, Illinois
  • ⭐ Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007 as the World’s Largest Covered Wagon
  • 📸 Great photo opportunity — especially with the massive wheels and life-size Lincoln

Railsplitter Covered Wagon

A Whimsical Giant on the Mother Road

You’ll spot it before you even realize what it is — a massive covered wagon parked just off Route 66, with Abraham Lincoln himself riding shotgun, law book in hand. Welcome to the World’s Largest Railsplitter Covered Wagon, a quirky, unexpected monument that somehow feels right at home on the Mother Road.

Originally constructed as a labor of love by David Bentley, the wagon was designed to combine two of Illinois' most iconic symbols: Abraham Lincoln and the pioneering spirit of the covered wagon. What started as a roadside dream quickly became a Guinness World Record holder, and today it stands proudly in Lincoln, Illinois, a town named for the man himself.

And the best part? You don’t need to plan ahead, buy a ticket, or worry about opening hours. It’s always open, always free, and always ready for a photo — day or night, summer or snow.

Why Stop Here?

Because this is the kind of thing Route 66 was made for: big, bold, bizarre Americana. It’s roadside kitsch with heart, standing tall in a town rich with Lincoln history. Whether you’re speeding through or slowing down, this colossal wagon is worth the stop — if only to remind yourself that the road is supposed to surprise you.

And let’s be honest — how many times in your life will you get to say you’ve seen Abraham Lincoln riding a 24-foot wagon?

Railsplitter Covered Wagon Map

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