Alva in Woods County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

World's Tallest Man

— Alva Mural Society —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

1. World's Tallest Man Marker

Inscription.
Robert Pershing Wadlow, the tallest man in recorded history, visited Alva in 1940 on a promotional tour for the Peters Shoe Company. Driven by his father, he arrived in a 1938 Ford sedan specially modified to accommodate his size. A few months later Wadlow died at the age of 22.

Mural painted by Jim Richey and Hanson Long, 2013

Erected 2013 by Alva Mural Society. (Marker Number 26.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 36° 48.213′ N, 98° 39.968′ W. Marker is in Alva, Oklahoma, in Woods County. It is on Barnes Street just east of College Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker and mural are located on the east facade of the building at this address, near the northeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 519 Barnes Street, Alva OK 73717, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally,

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it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and Cherokee Outlet.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Monfort Drug and Book Store / Jim and Mary Holder (a few steps from this marker); In Honor of the Growth of Cooperative Extension Continuing Education in Woods County (within shouting distance of this marker); The Supply Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Burning of the Castle on the Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Run, September 16, 1893 (about 300 feet away); The Old Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Alva Speedway (about 400 feet away); World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alva.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Robert Pershing Wadlow

Also see . . .
1. Robert Wadlow (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Robert Pershing Wadlow (February 22, 1918 – July 15, 1940), also
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

2. World's Tallest Man Marker
The marker and mural face the alley (on the left), perpendicular to Barnes Street (on the right). The marker is mounted at eye-level near the right edge of the mural.
known as the Alton Giant and the Giant of Illinois, was an American man. He is the tallest person in recorded history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. Wadlow was born and raised in Alton, Illinois, a small city near St. Louis, Missouri. Wadlow's height was 8 ft 11.1 in while his weight reached 439 lb at his death at age 22. His great size and his continued growth in adulthood were due to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland, which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone (HGH).
Wadlow became a celebrity after his 1936 U.S. tour with the Ringling Brothers Circus, appearing at Madison Square Garden and the Boston Garden in the center ring (never in the sideshow). In 1938, he began a promotional tour with the International Shoe Company, which provided him shoes free of charge. Wadlow saw himself as working in advertising, not exhibiting as a freak. On July 4, 1940, during a professional appearance at the Manistee National Forest Festival, a faulty leg brace irritated his ankle, leading to infection. He was treated with a blood transfusion and surgery, but his condition worsened and he died in his sleep on July 15.

(Submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Robert Wadlow: Tallest Man Ever (Guinness World Records).

World's Tallest Man Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

3. World's Tallest Man Mural

Excerpt: Humankind has always been fascinated by extremes: as a result, the record for the Tallest man (ever) has been featured in almost every edition of the Guinness World Records book since its inauguration in 1955. Robert passed the 8 ft 0.5 in mark by the age of 17, making him – the tallest teenager ever. Robert had whopping 18.5 in feet – the equivalent of a US size 37AA (UK size 36, roughly a European size 75) – the largest feet ever. The Alton Giant also boasted the largest hands ever, measuring 12.7 in from the wrist to the tip of his middle finger.
With a staggering peak daily food consumption of 8,000 calories, he actually continued to grow taller right up until his death. Since then, medical technology and treatment has advanced significantly and people who suffer from pituitary gigantism – such as Sultan Kösen, the tallest man living as of 2017 – are able to have surgery to halt the production of the growth hormone. Therefore, Robert Wadlow will likely remain the tallest man for a very long time.

(Submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. The Story of Robert Wadlow Documentary (HQ) (YouTube).

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(Submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.