| Big Critters |
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| WHALES | ||
| Blue Whale Catoosa, OK |
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The Blue Whale was built by Hugh Davis and his friend Harold Thomas from 1970-1972. Davis built the whale as an anniversary gift for his wife (she collected whale figures). It was made from wood, pipe, and concrete on the Davis' private pond. The 80' long giant sculpture attracted neighbors and passing motorists and ended up becoming a public watering hole. Davis built picnic tables, opened a snack bar, brought in sand to create a beach, hired lifeguards and started charging admission. The Blue Whale closed in 1988 and Davis died in 1990. It was disintegrating badly until 1997 when volunteers renovated it. It was renovated again in 2002 with new plumbing, paint and landscaping and is open for picnics but not for swimming. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Next to the whale, there is a separate restroom building that imitates a thatched hut. On the same property are the remains of a ship-shaped building that was known as "Noah's Ark". It seems to have been part zoo and part alligator farm. There is another dilapidated building that I believe was a concession stand. |
| Willie the Whale Canton, OH |
Sperm Whale West Hartford, CT |
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Willie the Whale was originally part of Mother Gooseland which was built in the late 1950s. He was once in a pool with seals. They are now developing a recreational trail system next to him. He was repainted in 2007, however, vandals have already defaced him. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
The Sperm Whale, nicknamed Conny, was built for the Science Center in 1976. He is 60' long and 15' tall. You can climb inside and listen to tape recorded whale facts and sounds. He was refurbished in 1995. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Whale Wilson, NC |
Whale Crescent City, CA |
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The Wilson Whale is located on the roof of Worrell's Seafood Restaurant. Worrell's has been here since 1929. The building also features giant seahorses.
The Crescent City Whale is installed at the Crescent City Harbor. |
| La Baleine Matane, QC |
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| The La Baleine gift shop was built in 1963. |
| Jonah's Whale Rockaway Beach, NY |
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| Jonah's Whale was built in 1960 for the Central Park Children's Zoo in Manhattan. When the old zoo closed in the 1990s, the whale was relocated to a traffic island in Queens. It was renamed "Whaleamena" and has been the frequent target of vandals. These photos were taken in 2001. Around 2006, the whale was given a mosaic makeover. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| Whale Bar Harbor, ME |
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| The Bar Harbor Whale is located on the pier near the Bar Harbor Whale Museum. For more, see their website. |
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More Whales:
Nullarbor, Australia |
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