Norma
Jean
Died 1972 - Oquawka,
Illinois
Norma Jean was a 6,500-pound elephant and the star
attraction of the Clark and Walters Circus. That ended abruptly on the morning
of July 17, 1972, when she was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning. Her
trainer, "Possum Red," was knocked 30 feet by the blast. With no elephant,
the Circus went out of business a year later.
Norma Jean was buried where she fell -- which, conveniently, was in Oquawka's
town square. Oquawka filled in the pit and walked away, apparently hoping
that everyone would forget that Norma Jean had ever existed. Not so fast,
said Wade Meloan, a local druggist. He raised enough money to commission a
twelve-foot-tall limestone tombstone for Norma Jean, and he raised
the consciousness of the town enough to let him erect it in the square.
Today, signs pointing towards "Elephant Killed By Lightning" direct dumbstruck
tourists to Norma Jean's grave from all points in Oquawka. A collection of
Norma Jean memorabilia is displayed in a glass case, and a small concrete
elephant is perched atop the tombstone. A plaque on it reads: "This memorial
is dedicated in memory of an elephant named Norma Jean, who was killed by
lightning at this location, and lies buried here."
Explained Wade: "I just didn't think that ending seemed proper for someone
who had been a circus star."
Norma Jean is celebrated each August by a festival in Oquawka that includes
an elephant walk, white elephant sale and a bake sale featuring "elephant
ears."
Grave Of Elephant Killed By Lightning:Address: Oquawka, IL [ Show Map] Directions: Signs pointing toward "Elephant Killed By Lightning" direct you to Norma Jean's grave from all points in Oquawka. Hours: Daylight hours. (Call to verify) Phone: 309-867-2351
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