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 10 feet long, 6 feet wide, and weighs around 3,000 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 1928. (Photo courtesy of the Lemon Grove Historical Society)The story of the Big Lemon begins on the Fourth of July in 1928, 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 found the Lemon Grove Historical Society, preserving the town’s citrus legacy through education and outreach.
Built by local ranchers atop a modified Model T Ford chassis, the float turned heads immediately. It not only celebrated Lemon Grove’s booming citrus industry but proudly advertised the town’s claim to fame: “The Best Climate on Earth.” After years in the parade circuit, it was retired in 1934. Residents, eager to preserve a piece of their identity, opted to transform it into a permanent landmark.
The Big Lemon in 1935. (Photo courtesy of the Lemon Grove Historical Society)In 1930, the community 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 1963, 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 most recent restoration came in 2023, 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 community it represents.
In 2022, 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,” said 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 20th 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 community, not only physically, but figuratively,” said 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 1990s, a campaign even proposed turning it into a lemonade stand—an idea ultimately vetoed by city officials.
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.
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