Edmond Guinness World Records

Since it was first published in 1955, the Guinness Book of World Records has named over 65,000 record titles. Each begins with an idea, is followed by an application—of which only 60% are approved—and finishes with a rigorous process to provide evidence and ensure honesty. At last, the record-holder’s claim to fame is cemented, if only until someone does it better. As the 70th anniversary of the Guinness Book of World Records approaches, here’s a look at the times Edmond has earned global esteem as the home of Guinness World Records.

1986: Wow, What A Water Tower!

Chances are, if you live in Edmond, you’ve driven by the engineering marvel and 1986 Guinness World Record-holding tallest spheroid water tower, located near I-35 and 2nd Street. With a height of 218 feet and a capacity of 416,000 gallons, the tower was manufactured by Chicago Bridge & Iron Company and still holds the record to this day. For anyone looking to break this specific record, the sky is literally the limit. 

With a height of 218 feet and a capacity of 416,000 gallons, the [water] tower… still holds the record to this day!

1994: Tallest Dinosaur

Long before Oklahoma existed as a state, it was home to the world’s tallest dinosaur, who probably foraged through Edmond, though his final resting place was Oklahoma City. Bones for a Sauroposeidon, standing 60-feet tall and weighing a whopping 132,277 pounds, were found by researchers in 1994 near Oklahoma City. Though larger beasts may have once roamed the earth, their remains have not yet been found.

2011: Duck, Duck, Goose

In 2011, 1,624 students, faculty, and staff set the Guinness World Record for the largest game of Duck, Duck, Goose. The 15-minute game was held on the East Hall field as part of UCO’s annual homecoming celebration, Stampede Week. Notable participants included the university’s president at the time, Don Betz, and the 2011 Miss University of Central Oklahoma, Rachel Hill. This event displaced the previous record of 1,415 participants at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. 

2012: Lowest Golf Score

Professional golfer and Edmond resident Rhein Gibson set the Guinness World Record for the lowest golf score on 18 holes achieved by a male in 2012. Gibson shot a 16-under-par 55 at River Oaks Golf Club in Edmond. Following this feat, he told the Oklahoman, “I knew it might be special when I made the turn at 10-under, which is crazy. I was trying not to think about it, just play one hole at a time.” 

2014: Heaviest Weighted Pull

In the summer of 2011, Steven Proto achieved a record-setting stunt in the comfort of his personal gym. Steven completed a pull-up with 206.2 pounds attached to his waist, setting the Guinness World Record for the heaviest-weighted pull-up completed by a male at that time. The current record holder, Liu Weiqiang of China, set the current record of 240.74 pounds in March 2023.