A Route 66 Legend
Big Tex-Rex
The Big Texan Steak Ranch opened in 1960 on Route 66, ten years later Interstate 40 opened & Route 66 was bypassed. This created an immediate catastrophic drop in business, forcing founder Bob (RJ) Lee to move the Big Texan to I-40 or lose the Big Texan.
In March of 1970, The Big Texan said farewell to the Mother Road & opened it's present day location. Since that date, The Big Texan has been blessed with continuous prosperity & has grown into an international icon.
Sons of the late Founder, Bobby & Danny Lee, have always held a deep appreciation for Route 66, without it there wouldn't be a Big Texan today. They proudly dedicate "BIG TEX-REX" to the Spirit of the Mother Road.
WHY A COWBOY-DRESSED, GREEN DINOSAUR? Both brothers share special memories of a family vacation, that took them way-out west on Route 66 to a roadside attraction that featured giant dinosaur statues.
Their memories & the other millions of memories from anyone who was ever lucky enough to "get their kicks" on Route 66 are what immortalized the road.
From the Lee Brothers-to the future generations of Road Trip travelers: "enjoy the ride & remember, it's not always about the destination, it's about the journey getting there."
That's what the real magic of The Big Texan & Route 66 is all about. Besides, they didn't have a
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1970.
Location. 35° 11.612′ N, 101° 45.297′ W. Marker is in Amarillo, Texas, in Potter County. Marker is on I-40 East, on the left when traveling east. Amarillo has frontage roads that follow the I-40. If you miss an exit, you can always turn around under the overpasses to get to the other side of the I-40. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7701 I-40 East, Amarillo TX 79118, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, Texas (here, next to this marker); Amarillo Tri-State Fair (approx. 2.4 miles away); Sacred (approx. 3 miles away); Dash for Cash (approx. 3 miles away); Refrigerator (approx. 3 miles away); Amarillo Livestock Auction (approx. 3 miles away); First Transcontinental Air Service to Texas Panhandle, Amarillo Municipal Airport (approx. 3 miles away); Amarillo (approx. 3˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amarillo.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 892 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 2. submitted on October 16, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
