Move over, North Carolina—Ohio’s taking the crown. The small village of Oak Hill (pop. 1,400) just became home to the World’s Largest Acorn, and no, this isn’t some quirky Photoshop prank.
This massive metal sculpture tips the scales at nearly 3,000 pounds and measures 12 feet in diameter. It officially took root in Central Memorial Park on June 14 and yes, it’s exactly as gloriously ridiculous as it sounds.
Why a Giant Acorn?
Like many great ideas, this one started with a road trip. Oak Hill Chamber of Commerce president Kurtis Strickland had a habit of visiting “world’s largest” attractions on family vacations—giant rocking chairs, twine balls, chainsaws, turkeys, you name it. So when the town was planning its 150th anniversary (aka its sesquicentennial), Strickland had a thought: Why not make Oak Hill home to something epic?
The acorn felt like a natural fit. Oak Hill got its name from the white oak trees that drew Welsh settlers to the area in the 1800s. The local school mascot is even a giant acorn named Archie. So, really, the only thing missing was a metal sculpture to make it official.
The Backstory: A Giant Nut for a Good Cause
In 2023, the Oak Hill Chamber started collecting donations to fund the sculpture—originally budgeted at $25,000. Thanks to community support, they ended up raising over $30,000. The final acorn was fabricated, weighed (a very precise 2,835 pounds, thank you Ohio State Highway Patrol), and planted right in the middle of town.
But this isn’t just a quirky photo op. The acorn is part of the Ohio Art Corridor, a public art initiative founded by David Griesmyer that brings large-scale sculptures to small towns throughout Appalachian Ohio. Think of it as a trail of weird, wonderful, totally Instagrammable landmarks tucked into the state’s quieter corners.
Ohio’s Other Oversized Icons
Believe it or not, Ohio is kind of a heavyweight in the “world’s largest” category. If you’re into the big and bizarre, here are just a few more local legends:
- World’s Largest Rubber Stamp in Cleveland (it says “FREE,” obviously)
- World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock in Sugarcreek (complete with dancing Swiss villagers)
- World’s Largest Cheese Wheel in Berlin (sadly, not edible)
- World’s Largest Loaf of Bread in Urbana (fiberglass, not fresh-baked)
- World’s Largest Horseshoe Crab in Hillsboro (affectionately known as Crabbie)
- World’s Largest Pumpkin Pie in New Bremen (over 3,600 pounds of gourd-y glory)
These roadside oddities are more than just kitschy attractions—they’re little celebrations of local pride and creativity. And with the new acorn, Oak Hill is officially part of the club.
So if you find yourself headed through southern Ohio, consider taking a small detour. Snap a pic with the acorn, grab a bite in town, and revel in the simple joy of seeing something weird and wonderful.
Visiting Info:
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📍 Central Memorial Park, Oak Hill, Ohio
🌐 Learn more about the Ohio Art Corridor: The Ohio Art Corridor Is A 132-Mile Road Trip Full Of Fantastic Public Art
