Posted on 04/09/2016 8:22:52 AM PDT by JoeProBono
The larger-than-life Bowie knife was unveiled on Thursday in a park in Bowie – a small North Texas town (pop: just over 5,000 residents) north of Fort Worth, off U.S. 81. The sculpture features some admirable measurements. The entire object is 20 feet, 6 inches long and weighs 3,000 pounds. The blade is made of stainless steel.
The monument was designed to tolerate winds up to 90 miles per hour, an inch of ice and seismic activity. The project almost didn’t come to pass.
Fundraising for the Bowie Knife Project started in 2013. However, by the end of 2014, organizers had raised only one-third of the project’s estimated cost of $150,000 to $170,000. At the last minute, an anonymous donor gave $100,000 to save the undertaking. Diana Thomlinson, executive director of the Bowie Chamber of Commerce, noted the Bowie knife was funded with entirely private money. Project officials spent last year working on the site’s architecture and other project details.
The knife rests on a large base, and is surrounded by tiles of those who donated to the project. That includes a prominent plaque for Bob Hadley, who came up with the idea. Hadley died in a car crash in 2013. Thomlinson said the residents hope the knife will provide a tourism boost for the small town along the historic Chisholm Trail.
The monument also will serve as an appropriate centerpiece for the annual festival and rodeo called Jim Bowie Days. The chamber of commerce plans to have special guests on hand in June to confirm the landmark as the largest knife in the world. “It will be a record,” Thomlinson said. “We’re intending to have (officials for Guinness World Records) at our dedication ceremony.”
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Now that’s a...
Don’t mess with Texas.
Always fun to watch that scene.
My late father hand-crafted many Bowie knives over the years. I would have loved to show this article to him. Thank you for finding it :-)
THAT’S MR.to You!
Holy cr**
Damn, I’d hate to tell you what I thought THAT was at first glance!
I used to go to Bowie often when I was young. They had a great flea market. It’s held on the weekend of the 2nd Monday each month.
I love it. Pure Americana.
Where is that road runner statue located? I’ve been to Fort Stockton many times, and have yet to lay eyes on it!
Paisano Pete, the largest roadrunner in the world!
Paisano Pete Fort Stockton was named a True Texas Icon as “Town Mascot” in the September 2011 issue of Texas Highway’s magazine. Paisano Pete, located in the center of town on the corner of Main and Dickenson, is unarguably one of the most recognizable roadside attractions in the southwest.
Next time I go through there, I’ll have to keep my eyes open for it- I only go to two places there (on business), then leave town.
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