Robert Wadlow Statue

Near the southern end of Alton's College Avenue stands a life-size bronze statue of Robert Wadlow, the tallest person in recorded history. Born in Alton in 1918, Wadlow grew to 2.72 metres (8 feet 11.1 inches) before his death at age 22 — a height never equalled before or since in documented medical records.

The statue is accurate to his actual dimensions, which means it is startlingly tall when you stand next to it. Most visitors have a photo taken beside it for scale. The nearby Alton Museum of History and Art has exhibits on Wadlow's life, including original clothing, shoes, and photographs documenting his childhood and young adulthood in Alton.

things to do sight
A story
Robert Wadlow reached 2.72 metres (8 feet 11 inches) before his death at age 22 in 1940, making him the tallest person in recorded medical history. His condition — hyperplasia of the pituitary gland — caused him to grow throughout his life without stopping. Despite needing leg braces to walk, he remained good-natured and was widely beloved in Alton. He died from an infection caused by a faulty brace, just weeks after being measured for what would have been his final height record.

Other places in Things to Do in Alton