of Transportation, which in late 2013 set aside almost $300,000 to turn the land around Tex's boots into a park.
Then an unlikely hero rode to the rescue: the formerly villainous Texas Dept. Time appeared to have run out for the big cowboy. Local boosters mounted an internet fundraising campaign, but the amount needed to save Tex seemed beyond their reach. A local businessman bought the cowboy but gave up when he learned it would cost $50,000 to move him. Panhandle winds again ravaged Tex, sandblasting away large portions of his skin and clothes. The cowboy was given a new face with a mustache, a new set of painted-on clothes - and a new name, "Tex Randall," in honor of his home in Randall County. The no-longer-fashionable cigarette was replaced with a spur. Local leaders rallied for a "Save the Cowboy" campaign in 1987. A semi crashed into his left boot, and the cigarette was shot out of his right hand. Panhandle winds shredded the cowboy's canvas duds. of Transportation rerouted US 60 through an underpass, cutting off Wheeler's drive-by traffic and driving the Western Store out of business. The galoot's lanky frame was supported by an ingenious network of steel struts and cables, anchoring him to the ground.ĭecades passed. The store - which despite its name was not owned by Harry Wheeler - sold Western clothing, so the seven-ton cowboy was outfitted with a real Western-style shirt and an enormous pair of Levi's jeans, courtesy of a local tent and awning shop. The 47-foot-tall slouching cowboy was built of cement and steel by William "Harry" Wheeler, a high school shop teacher, for Wheeler's Western Store on US 60. In 1959 Tex Randall began life as what was then called "Texas' Biggest Texan" - and he was. Here's more about Tex Randall from Roadside : Please contact me via email if you are interested: Thanks!Īrchival print shown in simple black wooden frame
For a limited time, the unframed prints are $450.00 each (+tax/shipping) - Framing can be added at an extra cost. The signed & numbered prints are 32 x 24 inches and will be printed on a heavy weight archival paper. A portion of the proceeds will be given to help with the restoration. Because I love all things Texas, I've decided to offer a limited edition print of a painting that I did of Tex a few years ago. tall west Texas cowboy - back to his original glory. I recently discovered that the good folks of Canyon, Texas are in the process of restoring Tex Randall - the 47 ft.
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