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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.
Visiting the Popeye Statue
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.
Learn more about the Chester area.
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