Rockport in Aransas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Big Blue Crab
Photographed By Norman Frank, March 6, 2013
1. The Big Blue Crab Marker
Rockport’s original Big Blue Crab started out on the Del Mar Grill on Austin Street. In 1957, the Grill was run by Dorothy and Sal Silverman, and the specialty was Dorothy’s famous crab cakes. The Big Crab was 18 feet wide and 22 feet deep and was made of rebar, chicken wire, and papier mache’.The Crab weathered both hurricanes Carla in 1961 and Beulah in 1967. In 1965, the Grill closed and the Chamber of Commerce bought the Crab for $200. It was to be used as a background for photographs and put on the trailer for parades (to promote Rockport).
In October 1966, the Crab was moved to Veterans Memorial Park by the harbor. In 1969, a winter Texan repainted the Crab, and the Crab became a female as the tips of the pinchers were painted red. The Crab survived hurricane Celia ion 1970, but it had deteriorated and finally had to be taken down in 1976.
From October 2011 to August 2012, local artist David Allgood constructed a new crab, using aluminum rods and tubing, screen, resin, and matting. It is bigger than the original, at 25 feet wide (side legs) by 27 feet deep.
Erected
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1966.
Location. 28° 1.629′ N, 97° 2.788′ W. Marker is in Rockport, Texas, in Aransas County. Marker is at the intersection of East Laural Street and Seabreeze Drive, on the left when traveling south on East Laural Street. Located near the entrance to Rockport Beach Park on the shore of "Little Bay". Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rockport TX 78382, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rockport’s Harbor (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hoopes-Smith House (approx. 0.2 miles away); First National Bank of Rockport (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rockport (approx. 0.2 miles away); Aransas County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rockport Marine Laboratory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fulton-Bruhl House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Woman’s Club of Aransas County Building (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockport.
Photographed By Norman Frank, March 6, 2013
2. The Big Blue Crab
Photographed By Norman Frank, March 6, 2013
3. Big Blue Crab as seen from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2013, by Norman Frank of Rockport, Texas. This page has been viewed 654 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 7, 2013, by Norman Frank of Rockport, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
