The giant lemon of Lemon Grove: A roadside wonder with a zesty past

The Big Lemon in all its glory Photo courtesy of the city of Lemon Grove Right in the heart of Lemon Grove just off the trolley line and across from quiet storefronts sits a giant lemon Faded but cheerful it stretches feet long feet wide and weighs around pounds Locals pass it daily tourists pull over for photos and school kids visit like it s a relic But what might seem like a playful roadside attraction is a piece of living history one that represents the pride and identity of a small Southern California town The Big Lemon was back in Photo courtesy of the Lemon Grove Historical Society The story of the Big Lemon begins on the Fourth of July in when it first rolled through the streets of San Diego as a parade float for the Fiesta de San Diego Designed by architect Alberto O Treganza best known for his Mission Revival homes and work in Balboa Park the float featured his daughter Amorita Treganza who served as the first Miss Lemon Grove Amorita would later help identified the Lemon Grove Historical Society preserving the town s citrus legacy through guidance and outreach Built by local ranchers atop a modified Model T Ford chassis the float turned heads without delay It not only celebrated Lemon Grove s booming citrus industry but proudly advertised the town s claim to fame The Best Circumstances on Earth After years in the parade circuit it was retired in Residents eager to preserve a piece of their identity opted to transform it into a permanent landmark The Big Lemon in Photo courtesy of the Lemon Grove Historical Society In the society voted to have the float plastered mounted and preserved The newly solidified sculpture was installed at the corner of Main Street and Broadway where it stood as a symbol of the town s heritage In it was moved to its current location beside the Lemon Grove trolley station where it continues to greet commuters and visitors arriving on the Orange Line Over the decades the sculpture has needed occasional upkeep Its largest part contemporary restoration came in led by local artist Steven Garcia who had worked on it before Thanks to his efforts the lemon remains bright and welcoming just like the group it represents In the World Record Academy officially named it the world s largest lemon sculpture a fitting distinction for this beloved local icon The Big Lemon of Lemon Grove is a landmark in the center of town declared Laura Hook president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society Its presence isn t just ornamental it anchors the town s identity and history in one bold citrusy shape Its meaning runs deeper than size or spectacle Lemon Grove was once a hub of citrus groves and hosted an annual Lemon Day celebration in the early th century Though the festival faded over time the sculpture remains as a nostalgic nod to those fruitful years The Big Lemon is the heart of the locality not only physically but figuratively declared Juliet DeAmicis a resident who runs the Instagram account lemongrove happenings It s the symbol that we congregate around and draw pride from and it unites all people from diverse walks of life That pride has elevated the lemon from roadside oddity to cultural emblem It has appeared in postcards and film projects is taught in local schools and continues to be featured in outlets like LA Weekly and Atlas Obscura as one of California s quirkiest landmarks In the s a campaign even proposed turning it into a lemonade stand an idea ultimately vetoed by city personnel Repainting the giant lemon FILE Times of SanDiego Photo courtesy of the city of Lemon Grove And still it stands an oversized fruit on a concrete pedestal weathered but unwavering marking the center of town There s no visitor center or flashy signage But ask anyone in Lemon Grove and they ll likely tell you that lemon means something Sources Greg Jackson communications specialist city of Lemon Grove Lemon Grove Historical Society World Record Academy World s Largest Lemon Sculpture Atlas Obscura The Lemon Grove Giant Lemon San Diego Union-Tribune Lemon Grove s Iconic Lemon Gets a Facelift Laura Hook president Lemon Grove Historical SocietyJuliet DeAmicis lemongrove happeningsIn this article we used AI to assist with historical research The author fact-checked everything uncovered by AI Using AI for research allows us to find more historical information to make articles like this more comprehensive