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World's Largest Penny.
World's Largest Penny.

World's Largest Penny

Field review by the editors.

Woodruff, Wisconsin

The World's Largest Penny commemorates a 1953 fund-raising stunt. Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb (known locally as "The Angel On Snowshoes") implored local school children to save their pennies so that Woodruff could build a hospital. TV picked up on the story and pennies were soon pouring in from all over the country -- 1.7 million in all.

World's Largest Penny in 1953.
Agnes Wiedemeier provided this photo shot by her mother, Jennie Trinka, in 1953 of Agnes (far left) with three friends

Woodruff got its hospital, and the schoolchildren of 1953 are now residents of the assisted living facility behind the penny.

The Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb Museum, which is a block away from the Penny, features memorabilia from the town's annual "Million Penny Parades" and a video of Dr. Kate on This is Your Life.

In February 2022 Long Beach, California, erected a similar-sized giant penny at the entrance to the city's remodeled Lincoln Park.

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World's Largest Penny

Address:
820 Third Ave., Woodruff, WI
Directions:
At the corner of 2nd Ave. and Hemlock St. One block west of US 51 and two blocks south of Hwy 47.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

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In the region:
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