966 words, 5-minute read

If you ask around or even skim a few articles online, you will likely see the Big Peanut Monument listed as being built in 1975. That date has been repeated for years. But the historical record tells a slightly different story.

The original monument was actually built and completed in 1974. Newspaper coverage from the Macon Telegraph, The Wiregrass Farmer, and The Florida Times-Union throughout 1974 documents its construction and completion. The February 19, 1975 date shown on the plaque at the base of the peanut appears to reflect the formal dedication ceremony, not the year it was constructed. It is a small detail, but an important one in telling Ashburn’s story accurately.

Original Monument (1974-2018)

First advocated for in 1970 by the Turner County Chamber of Commerce and designed by architect Arthur Smith, an Ashburn native and an architect in Valdosta, the Big Peanut Monument was completed in 1974 as a bold tribute to Turner County’s agricultural roots. Standing 34 feet tall, the structure featured a 16-foot peanut topped with neon lights mounted on an 18-foot brick pedestal. The entire monument weighed approximately 2.5 tons and quickly became one of Ashburn’s most recognizable landmarks along Interstate 75.

Funding came through a true community effort. The Turner County Chamber played a leading role, joined by a $5,000 gift from the will of Nora Lawrence Smith, her final devoted contribution to the county she loved. Gold Kist Peanut Company added $2,500, helping ensure the project crossed the finish line. The result was more than a roadside attraction. It was a symbol of pride in Turner County’s peanut heritage.

For more than four decades, the towering peanut welcomed travelers and anchored local identity. It was featured in newspapers across the region, appeared on postcards, and even found its way into pop culture moments, including a Jeopardy appearance. The monument also became part of local memorabilia, including the 1996 Historic Ashburn throw blanket and a roadside attractions coloring book.

Then came October 10, 2018.

When Hurricane Michael tore through South Georgia, the storm toppled the beloved peanut. Images of the damaged monument circulated quickly, including photos of it resting in Rebecca after being removed from its Interstate location. For many, it felt like more than fallen fiberglass and brick. It felt personal.

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Hurricane Michael huffed and puffed.

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Visit the Turner County Project Store and wear your hometown pride today!

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The NEW Big Peanut Monument (2023-present)

After the destruction of the original monument, community members rallied. Crowdsourced donations poured in. The Turner County Young Farmers, the Turner County Arts Council, the Georgia Peanut Commission, AgGeorgia Farm Credit, and the State of Georgia all contributed to help fund the restoration efforts. AgGeorgia contributed $10,000, and the State of Georgia provided $55,000 toward bringing the peanut back.

Local craftsmen at Sercer Fabrications in Rebecca worked diligently to build a new and improved version. On June 12, 2023, the Big Peanut was lifted back into place along Interstate 75. Installation day marked a full-circle moment for the community.

The rededication ceremony followed in July 2023, with supporters, sponsors, and community leaders gathered to celebrate not just a structure, but resilience. The new monument stands bigger and stronger, a testament to both agricultural heritage and small-town determination.

Today, the Big Peanut continues to draw visitors (even movie filming), spark conversations, and show up in unexpected places, from chamber merchandise to media features. Its story spans advocacy in 1970, construction in 1974, dedication in 1975, devastation in 2018, and rebirth in 2023.

The Big Peanut has never just been concrete, steel, or fiberglass. It has been a welcome sign, a photo stop, a punchline, a landmark, and a point of pride. Generations have grown up with it rising over Interstate 75, a quiet reminder that Turner County’s story is tied to the land and the people who work it.

Storms may have knocked it down, but they did not take away what it represents. The rebuilt monument stands not only as a tribute to agriculture but as proof of what a small town can do when it comes together. From chamber leaders in the 1970s to donors and craftsmen in 2023, the Big Peanut reflects decades of vision, generosity, and grit.

It still watches over Ashburn. And like the community beneath it, it stands tall.

Installation Day (June 12, 2023)

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Rededication Ceremony – July 2023

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