Old Rip -- Eastland County Courthouse, Eastland TX
N 32° 24.076 W 098° 49.093
14S E 517095 N 3584929
Eastland's claim to fame: a horny toad named Old Rip, who survived being walled-up inside the courthouse cornerstone, then, after waking up when the cornerstone was opened 30 years later, went on a nationwide tour.
Waymark Code: WMPV0N
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/21/2015
Views: 11
Mama Blaster remembers when her Daddy brought her to Eastland for the first time to take a look at Old Rip, a justifiably famous Texas horny toad with a pretty amazing story.
Even though Old Rip died in 1929, he is still lauded and remembered in this West Texas town, and is celebrated even today as a local legend and namesake of RipFest, a county festival that has been livening up the square since 1980.
Old Rip is on permanent display in his little horny toad sized coffin at the Eastland County courthouse. You can come see him 24 hours a day, everyday. there are many memorials erected around town to Old Rip -- he truly did put Eastland on the map.
A sign next to Old Rip in his coffin reads as follows:
"OLD RIP
In 1897 when the cornerstone of the new Courthouse was dedicated, Earnest Wood, Justice of the Peace, who was a member of the Band, noticed his son, Will Wood, playing with a horned toad. The idea came to him to place the toad in the cornerstone. They named him 'Old Rip' and he lived peacefully in this cornerstone until February 28, 1928, when the courthouse was demolished to make way for a new one. Three thousand persons were on hand to watch the opening of the cornerstone to see how 'Old Rip' had fared. Judge Ed S. Pritchard removed the Bible and other objects, and at the bottom was the toad. Eugene Day, an oil man, thrust his hand into the cavity and lifted up the flat dust-covered toad. He handed it to Frank S. Singleton, pastor of the First Methodist Church, who passed the critter on to Judge Pritchard. Judge Pritchard held him up by his tail for all to see. Suddenly 'Old Rip' awoke from his 31 year slumber. "Old Rip" was exhibited in various parts of the United States, including a visit to President Coolidge in Washington. "Old Rip" died of pneumonia on Saturday, January 19, 1929. His body was embalmed and can be seen today in its plush-lined casket, as it is displayed in the lobby of Eastland County's beautiful courthouse."
Type of Memorial: plaque
Type of Animal: wild animal
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Visit Instructions:
Proof of visit is required. The easiest proof is a gps photo of the memorial. GPS photos will always be acceptable proof. Individual waymarks may ask for an alternative type of proof of visit.