Paisano Pete is a 22-foot long, 11-foot tall roadrunner mascot of Fort Stockton, Texas. His “perch” is located on a busy intersection of town, where he can see all the comings and goings and visitors can stop for photo opportunities. Constructed in 1980, at the time he was declared the largest roadrunner in the world, however he has since been dethroned (for some reason) by a larger roadrunner statue in New Mexico. Does Paisano Pete let that get him down? No. And you shouldn’t either.
Things to Do
Paisano Pete: Second Largest Roadrunner is First in Fort Stockton’s Heart
By |
Photo: Facebook/Lost In The USA
Parking nearby and walking to the statue of this enormous bird in Fort Stockton is a good recommendation. His location really is a business intersection and for safety’s sake, it’s better than stopping alongside for a quick selfie. There’s a Visitor Center located across the street, which is ideal for just such a thing, and they can also officially welcome you to town and provide more regional details. They also have free souvenirs to commemorate your visit!
Photo: Facebook/Day Trippin’ Texas
“Pete” was the brainchild of Fort Stockton Mayor Gene Cummings. Set at mid-stride, as if he’s about to take off wildly across West Texas, this feathered friend has been the adopted symbol of the community ever since his creation, appearing on signs throughout town, and even getting nicely dressed up for Christmas!
Photo: Facebook/Jeff Doughty
Named a True Texas Icon as a town mascot by Texas Highway’s magazine, Paisano Pete can be found at the corner of Main and Dickenson in Fort Stockton, and is one of the more recognizable Texas roadside attractions. The town cares for their bird so much, he in fact received a recent makeover, including fresh coats of paint, allowing him to hold a possible new record – most photogenic bird in Texas.
Sources:
