World's Largest Peanut Monument

Ashburn, Georgia

Though many covet the crown, the King of Giant Peanuts still rules from its cylindrical brick perch along the interstate in Ashburn, Georgia.

Lesser peanuts are venerated by the townspeople of Pearsall, and Floresville, Texas; Durant, Oklahoma; and Dothan, Alabama ("Peanut Capital of the World"). Other also-rans are in the vicinity, shrimpy goobers in Blakely, and Sylvester, Georgia. But none of these towns have taken a serious crack at Ashburn's symbol of local enterprise.

In excellent repair, lovingly maintained, the World's Largest Peanut is as fresh as the day it was manufactured. Floodlights surround it; bicycle reflectors are on the tips of the crown on which it sits to catch the light. A plaque on its brick base says that the peanut was erected in February, 1975, was designed by A.R. Smith, Jr., and was dedicated to the memory of Nora Lawrence Smith, member of the Georgia Journalism Hall of Fame and co-publisher of the Wiregrass Farmer. It's easy to find, on a service road cul de sac next to I-75.

In town, you still might be able to catch a tour of the World's Largest Peanut Shelling Plant.

The only other nut worth its salt is the Jimmy Carter Peanut, an hour's drive northwest of Ashburn.

Also see: World's Largest Pecan