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All the United States Maryland Silver Spring Bust of the 'Homeless Mayor'

Bust of the 'Homeless Mayor'

A tribute to the beloved, kind-hearted "homeless mayor" of Silver Spring.

Silver Spring, Maryland

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EB Savage
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  e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
Street view of the bust.   Image capture: 2017 © 2018 Google
The bust in the distance, seen from across the street.   e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
Right next door to an Ethiopian restaurant.   hugh rand / Atlas Obscura User
  Taterchips / Atlas Obscura User
November 2020   Michael Busch / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Norman Lane was not your ordinary homeless man. He had his share of problems, but he also had an overwhelming amount of charm and luck. He was beloved by the local community in Silver Spring, Maryland. Many locals allowed him to sleep in the back of their shops and gave him food.

There are even rumors that Lane met President Lyndon B. Johnson while doing odd jobs around Bethesda Naval Hospital. The story goes that Lane was so charming, President Johnson sent him a signed picture.

In 1979, the popular reality TV show Real People staged a mock election where the citizens of Silver Spring were asked if they would elect Lane as their mayor. Unanimously, every person in Silver Spring who participated said they would vote for him. He was thereafter known as the homeless mayor.

Lane died eight years later, and shortly thereafter the local residents and business of Silver Spring raised money to erect a life-sized bust in his honor. In 1991 their vision was completed. The unassuming ally where the bust was erected was Lane's favorite hangout. It is now unofficially referred to as “Mayor’s Promenade.” 

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Memorials Local History Statues

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The alley is easy to miss. It is off Georgia Ave, on the side of the street where the buildings are closer together.

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Added By

e1savage

Edited By

jongrantham, Meg, Michael Busch, Taterchips...

  • jongrantham
  • Meg
  • Michael Busch
  • Taterchips
  • GetWeird98
  • hugh rand

Published

September 19, 2018

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Sources
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/22847
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_People
Bust of the 'Homeless Mayor'
8200 Georgia Ave
Silver Spring, Maryland
United States
38.991691, -77.027278
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Nearby Places

Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station

Silver Spring, Maryland

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Silver Spring

Silver Spring

Maryland

Places 13
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station

Silver Spring, Maryland

miles away

'Coastline' Wave Pool

Silver Spring, Maryland

miles away

Acorn Park

Silver Spring, Maryland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Silver Spring

Silver Spring

Maryland

Places 13
Stories 2

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