The Big Lemon in all its glory. (Photo courtesy of the city of Lemon Grove, 2016) Right in the heart of Lemon Grove — just off the trolley line and across from quiet storefronts—sits a giant lemon.

Locals pass it daily, tourists pull over for photos, and school kids visit like it’s a relic. But what might seem like a playful roadside attraction is a piece of living history — one that represents ...