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Only Genuine Pair of Robert Wadlow's Shoes

Field review by the editors.

Edwardsville, Illinois

Robert Wadlow has been dead for over 70 years, but he remains the tallest known human who ever lived. To earn money, he toured the country on behalf of a shoe company, occasionally giving away promotional samples of the size 37 shoe that he wore. Many of them are still showcased in shoe stores and Ripley's Believe it or Not franchises. But the only pair of shoes that Wadlow actually wore that can be seen by the public are at the Madison County Historical Museum -- or at least that was the claim of the late Lon Smith, mayor of nearby Wood River, who grew up in the same town as Wadlow. The shoes are displayed at the museum in front of a life-size photograph of the giant, so they're difficult to miss.

Also on exhibit in the museum is the mysterious bird-headed Ramey Tablet, found by a farmer near a local Indian mound.

Also see: Robert Wadlow, World's Tallest Man

Only Genuine Pair of Robert Wadlow's Shoes

Madison County Historical Museum

Address:
715 N. Main St., Edwardsville, IL
Directions:
In the Madison County Historical Museum. Downtown, on the west side of N. Main St., between W. 4th and W. Dunn Sts. Look for the flagpole out front.
Hours:
W-F 9 am - 4 pm, Su 1-4 pm. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
618-656-7562
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Big T-Bone SteakBig T-Bone Steak, Edwardsville, IL - 2 mi.
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25-Foot-Tall Geriatric Walker25-Foot-Tall Geriatric Walker, Edwardsville, IL - 3 mi.
In the region:
Bevo Windmill, St. Louis, MO - 23 mi.

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