The Living Lincoln Topiary Monument is a 16-foot-high by 8-foot-wide bust of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, located on the Macomb City Hall lawn. Its mixed-media construction of durable cast stone and steel features a unique topiary aspect in which the president’s beard consists of real living flowering plants and greenery — making it the only sculpture of its kind in the world.

The monument was designed by artist and Western Illinois University professor Duke Oursler and was dedicated on August 29, 2020. It serves as the centerpiece of the Looking For Lincoln Self-Guided Tour, which illustrates Abraham Lincoln’s long and significant connection to Macomb and McDonough County. The project was funded by the Macomb Rotary Clubs in recognition of their 2020 centennial anniversary and is managed by the Macomb Area Convention & Visitors Bureau with the assistance of Macomb Beautiful Association.

Every year, MBA members plant and tend the living topiary, ensuring that this remarkable and beloved landmark remains vibrant and beautiful throughout the growing season.