Eastland in Eastland County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old Rip

Photographed by Wesley Harris, June 10, 2022

1. Old Rip, the Horned Toad Marker

Inscription. Eastland County has a symbol - Old Rip, the horned toad who refused to die! He was placed in the cornerstone of an Eastland County Courthouse when it was built in 1897, and removed when it was torn down 31years later for construction of the present courthouse. A large crowd was on the courthouse square when the cornerstone was opened, in February of 1928. The horned toad was pulled out - flat and gray - and suddenly it began to move, then took a deep breath. The toad was named for Rip Van Winkle, and his fame spread. Old Rip was exhibited all across the United States, and he also visited President Calvin Coolidge. Unfortunately, the horned toad died of pneumonia in January of 1929. Old Rip was embalmed, and now rests in a casket on the first floor of the Eastland County Courthouse. His memory continues as Eastland celebrates “Old Rip Day” each February and “Old Rip Fest” each September.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 32° 24.114′ N, 98° 49.211′ W. Marker is in Eastland,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Texas, in Eastland County. It is on West Main Street 0.1 miles west of N Seaman Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 313 W Main St, Eastland TX 76448, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Townsend Bell (a few steps from this marker); Last Mob Lynching in the State of Texas (within shouting distance of this marker); Connellee - Majestic Theatre (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camp Salmon / Texas Civil War Frontier Defense (about 500 feet away); Eastland County World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); First United Methodist Church of Eastland (about 500 feet away); First Christian Church (about 600 feet away); Eastland County Courthouse

Old Rip Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wesley Harris, June 10, 2022

2. Old Rip Sculpture

(about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eastland.

Regarding Old Rip. A metal sculpture of Old Rip is next to the marker. His "casket" in the Eastland Country Courthouse across the street.

Information of Sculptor of Old Rip image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wesley Harris, June 10, 2022

3. Information of Sculptor of Old Rip

Old Rip Park in Eastland image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wesley Harris, June 10, 2022

4. Old Rip Park in Eastland

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2024, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 10, 2024, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.