There Were Fifty-Nine
February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Statues”
Cows in Chicago, Gators in Gainesville
In 2002 and 2003, my city was home to 59 fiberglass alligator statues inspired by the Cows on Parade art project in Chicago (1999), which was fashioned after the 1998 Land in Sicht (“Countryside in View”) project in Zurich, Switzerland. The animal statue idea spread to Argentina, Peru, Mexico, and Spain. And Florida.
Our project was named Gator Trails. Created by local artists, the 59 gator statues could be sponsored, which proved to be a fun way for businesses to advertise while helping to fund the costs of the statues. Many of the statues had amusing and creative names like Darth Gator, EduGator, Legisgator, and my favorite, Vincent Van Go Gator.
In April 2003, the statues were auctioned off, with the proceeds supporting and promoting arts, tourism, recreation, and sports in Alachua County. $172,000 was raised.
While the statue named Dr. Joel had the highest bid at $7,000, Frank Oliver spent $25,250 to purchase seven statues for his yet-to-be-built restaurant, Gator Landing, in Palatka, Florida.
I don’t know what happened to most of the other statues, but the one in my photo resides at Bosshardt Realty in the same office park as one of my clients. He is aptly named Proper T Gator.
© Dennett 2024
Here are some other Statues stories for your enjoyment:
And thank you, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, for the February Statues prompt.
