| Land of the Giants |
| COWBOYS |
| Big Cowboy Wisconsin Dells, WI |
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| The Dells Cowboy is a modern creation in the spirit of the International Fiberglass Muffler Man and about the same size. Around 2003, he was moved from shopping village (first photo) to a Mobil gas station (other three photos). However, as of 2008, he is laying on his back behind the gas station. For more, see this website. |
| F. McLintock's Saloon Pismo Beach, CA |
Cowboy Watertown, SD |
Big Tex Texas State Fairgrounds Dallas, TX |
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This 40' tall Pismo Beach Cowboy stands in front of F. McLintock's Saloon which has been here since the mid-1970s. It was carved from a Monterey cypress tree which used to stand next to the restaurant. The tree died of a bacterial disease and needed to be removed. An artist was called in to carve the statue from the tree. For more, see their website.
This Watertown Cowboy is installed at a Cowboy Country Store, a local convenience store chain with three locations in town. Big Tex is 52' tall and weighs 3 tons. He was made of iron pipe from the oilfields in 1949 and started life as a Santa Claus in Kerens, TX. In 1951, he was sold to the Dallas State Fair. This Santa was used for the Christmas holidays and then converted into a cowboy in 1952. A voice box was added in 1953. In 1997, he got a complete overhaul which included adding the waving arm. The iron pipes were replaced with steel. His head was originally made of papier-mache. He has been through several heads but, today, his head, hat, hands and boots are made of fiberglass. In the 1980s, he was moved to Kerens for their centennial celebration. Big Tex's head started turning in 2000 and, in 2002, he got a new wardrobe and voice. Big Tex has a 284" waist, a 185" inseam and a 30' chest (100" neck and 181" long sleeves). His pants are size 284W x 185L. His 75 gallon hat is 5' tall. His boots are size 70, measuring over 7’ tall. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| Cowboy Bienville, LA |
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| This Cowboy appears to be a scaled-down version of the Big Tex (shown above). The gas station/convenience store next to him was known as Boddie's Store. However, the building is now vacant. Does anyone know more about this guy? |
| Tex Randall Canyon, TX |
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| Tex Randall is 47' tall and weighs seven tons. He was built in 1959 out of concrete, steel and wire mesh by Harry Wheeler. Originally known as "The Biggest Texan", he advertised for a Western store. He held a cigarette and wore real denim jeans and a red checkered shirt. He deteriorated over the years and was restored between 1987-1989. Giving in to political correctness, a spur was substitued for the cigarette in his hand. In 2008, it was announced that he is for sale and may be demolished. Danny Byrd purchased him for $5,000 and planned to move him to his restaurant. However, estimates to move him ran upwards of $50,000. The property developers will probably demolish Tex by the end of 2009 if the funds cannot be raised to move him. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| Giant Cowboy Conlen, TX |
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| The Conlen Giant Cowboy is 20' tall and appears to have been built in the 1960s or so. The Conlen Steak House behind him look like it's closed for some time. For more, see this website. |
| Rustic Ranch Cowboy Denver, CO |
Casey Tibbs Fort Pierre, SD |
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The Rustic Ranch Cowboy is 30' tall and stands at the entrance to the Rustic Ranch Mobile Home and RV Park. He was created in 1955 by John Sutton. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [last photo thanks Crawford Appleby]
Casey Tibbs was rodeo star born 50 miles NW of Fort Pierre. This life-sized representation shows him riding the bucking bronco "Necktie" with a real horsehair mane and tail. It looks like there is a revolving base which no longer operates. I believe this statue was created in 1990. A nearly identical, 20' tall bronze statue was installed in 1989 at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. |
| Saddle Ranch Chop House West Hollywood, CA |
Black Bear Motel Davenport, WA |
Dave's Hardware & Furniture Logansport, LA |
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The Saddle Ranch Chop House opened in 1999 and features this cowboy and horse, as well as other statues, in front of their restaurant. They also have the only mechanical bull in Los Angeles. For more, see their website.
The Black Bear Motel features another bucking horse and cowboy. The Logansport Cowboy is intalled above what used to be Dave's Hardware & Furniture. There is a similar cowboy sign in Chicago, IL. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Cowboy East Palatka, FL |
Cowboy Columbus, OH |
Cowboy Grove City, OH |
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| Cowboy Alexandria, OH |
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| former Cowboy Decatur, IL |
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These Cowboy statues originally stood in front of Western Pancake House restaurants. I don't know how many of these statues were produced. There were 10 of these restaurants built around the Columbus, OH area in the late 1960s. By the early 1970s, there were three dozen locations in the Midwest. The chain is long gone except for a new location which opened in 2009 in Grove City, OH.
The East Palatka Cowboy somehow found its way down South. The statue is on private property with several other statues including some elephants and giraffes. Evidently, kids' parties are held at the back of the property. The Columbus Cowboy is located on private property by the side of the road. The Grove City Cowboy is located at Columbus Auto Resale. He has been there since at least the late 1990s. The Alexandria Cowboy is installed in front of Wind Song Western World which sells Western apparel. The Decatur Cowboy has been modified to look like a biker. He sits on the roof of 22nd St. Discount Liquor. If you know of any other examples of these statues, I'd love to hear about them. For more, see this website. |
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More Giant Cowboys:
Yuma, AZ Brainerd, MN |
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