The Big Apple of New England

In New England, the title of “The Big Apple” belongs not to New York City, but rather to a large sculpture at a rest stop in Lancaster, Massachusetts.

The apple is 10 feet tall and weighs more than 1,000 pounds. The sculpture claims to be the largest apple in all of the New England states. According to its official website, “This unique oddity honors the region’s strong agricultural heritage and connection to apples and that of iconic American folk story – Johnny Appleseed… The Big Apple of New England is part of an effort to promote North Central Massachusetts to travelers and visitors.  ”

The rest stop is known as the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center, and hosts a number of other unique items honoring the local folk hero, including a bronze of the folk hero. Johnny Appleseed was born John Chapman, in nearby Leominster, Massachusetts. He became an American legend while still alive, due to his kind, generous ways, his leadership in conservation.

While the enormous apple may be the most eye-catching item here, arguably the real star is less immediately obvious. Of the 91 apple trees on the premises, three Rambo trees are believed to be direct descendants of trees planted by Chapman himself.