A! good piece of Alton history that features Robert Pershing Wadlow. He was an astonishing 8′ 11″ tall. His image is recreated with a life sized statue which you can stand next to and compare heights! There is also a recreation of his chair which you can sit in and feel tiny compared to him.
Nicole B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicagoland, IL
I will always have a soft spot for the gentle giant, Robert Wadlow. Both of my grandmas went to school at Alton High with him and had some good stories to tell. Never heard a negative word about him. He was friendly to all. So sad that he passed so young, but nice to know that such a man was from our region.
Erin S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Healdsburg, CA
I am probably a little biased because my grandparents have been talking about Robert Waldow since I was a little girl but I really do feel that a trip to this cute little park to really see the awesomeness of how tall this man was is worth the trip if you are in the area. The statue really is beautiful and you can not only stand next to him but you can put your hand in his and be AMAZED at his size. It is also cool to sit in his chair though it is metal and I sat in it when it was 30 degrees out and it was a little rear end freezing to say the least. Also the house he lived in is visible from the park AND certain people have their names on the bricks surrounding the park *ahem *ahem, myself included because of my awesome grandparents. My grandmother told me she used to see Robert walking down the streets of Alton when she was a little girl!
Steven B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 St Louis, MO
This is a great little park/garden that honors Robert Pershing Wadlow, who is known as «The Gentle Giant». Other names he has be known to be called, are Alton Giant and Giant of Illinois. He was born in Alton, IL Feb. 22, 1918 and passed away at an early age of 22 on July 15, 1940. When he died he was an amazing 8′ 11.1″ tall and weighed an astounding 485 lbs. He achieved this great height due to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone. In the park you will find a life size statue of Robert and also a life size statue of a chair that was made especially for his large size. Next time you are in Alton, watching the eagles, passing through to Grafton or getting your drink on at Fast Eddies, stop by the park it only needs to be a short visit. Then you can stand next to The Gentle Giants statue and just see how small of a man you really are. Then have a seat in his big chair for a good chuckle. Best of all it is «free».
