World's Largest Bowie Knife - Bowie, TX
N 33° 32.839 W 097° 49.930
14S E 608418 N 3712575
Unveiled in 2016, a long-awaited Bowie knife in Pelham Park greets travelers along US 81. In a June 8, 2017 ceremony, the Guinness Book of World Records proclaimed this to be the largest Bowie knife in the world, at 20' 6".
Waymark Code: WM15172
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 09/25/2021
Views: 1
The Bowie Chamber of Commerce (see below) has this to say about their large roadside attraction:
The idea of the "Bowie Knife Monument" was pitched to the Bowie Chamber of Commerce by the late Bob Hadley, local rancher and bronze sculptor. Chamber Board Members Bryan Brown and Van Baize championed the project. The late Bob Brashear, a patriarch of one of the pioneering families of Bowie, became a major contributor to the project citing that he wanted to honor his parents, Marvin & Bess Brashear. Marvin was also known as "Mr. Second Monday" as he helped develop Bowie’s Second Monday Trade Days. Albert Schlabs of ASAP Water Jet Cutting, an engineering company, helped our Chamber develop and design the Bowie Knife monument and finally manufactured, constructed and installed the Bowie Knife unveiling it on April 4th, 2016.
Of course, Bowie, TX bears the name of Jim Bowie, and this knife complements the city, a taller-than-life version of Bowie's own "Arkansas Toothpick." It stands over 20 feet high, weighing 3,000 pounds, composed of stainless steel, brass, and wood, at a cost of $170,000. Private donations -- note the bricks on one corner of the base -- financed the project. At one time, there was a Bowie Knife Project website where one could purchase bricks to contribute, but it has since gone offline.
The knife is located on the east side of US 81, at the southeastern city limit. Since the knife was placed, the city has established a small pull-out by the knife that has a few parking places, but visitors may still park in the lots in Pelham Park, taking a short trail to the knife and passing the "Welcome to Bowie Texas" sign and white Chisholm Trail marker. There is no cost to visit, no set hours, but there are cameras watching, and please, stay off the base.
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.