ASHBURN, Georgia — The World’s Largest Peanut was down — literally — in the wake of Hurricane Michael in 2018. But it wasn’t out.
The original structure, which was unveiled in 1975 and made of fiberglass, was no match for the hurricane. When it was toppled, the leg broke, and its masonry base sat empty for years.
However, in July 2023, a new, stronger 5,000-pound structure designed to withstand future storms was unveiled. The larger structure was made of sheet metal and stainless steel.
“Back in 1975, the community wanted to recognize that Ashburn was the largest peanut grower,” Ashley Miller, executive director of the Ashburn-Turner County Chamber of Commerce, told NPR in 2023. “We were the largest peanut growers per capita for our landmass in the state of Georgia. And they decided we needed to have a landmark that would make us stand out.”
With that, one of Georgia’s most beloved roadside oddities continues to delight tourists.
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