Popeye Statue – Chester, Illinois
Popeye Statue is in Elzie C. Segar Park in Chester, Illinois.
This 6 foot tall, 900 pound, bronze-metallic statue of Popeye was inspired by the fact that Segar, Popeye’s creator, was born in Chester and that many of the Popeye characters were modeled after real residents of the town. It is reported that Segar’s old boss at the Opera House, J. William Schuchert, was the model for J. Wellington Wimpy and had a fondness for hamburgers. Olive Oyl’s real-life persona was Dora Paskel, who was the proprietor of a general store and was tall, lanky and wore her hair rolled tightly in a bun. Popeye was based on Frank "Rocky" Fiegel who was a local tough guy. Each year the city of Chester organizes the Popeye Picnic to celebrate its famous citizens.
There is no charge to visit the Popeye Statue.
Directions: The Popeye Statue is located at the foot of the Chester Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River in Elzie C. Segar Memorial Park. From the Illinois side take IL-150 to the Mississippi river and from the Missouri side take MO-51 to the Mississippi river.
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