Will Rogers - Anatole Hotel Dallas Texas
N 32° 48.034 W 096° 49.694
14S E 703352 N 3631266
Large Statue of Will Rogers on his horse.
Waymark Code: WM5QG1
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 02/02/2009
Views: 8
From the web: www.depts.ttu.edu/communications/news/stories/07-07-will-rogers.php
This is another statue completed by Electra Biggs."Into the Sunset," originally commissioned in 1936 by Carter, stands in front of the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth. The life-sized bronze was created by noted sculptor Electra Waggoner Biggs whom Rogers met during his time on the Waggoner Ranch.
To further honor his friend's memory, the Amon G. Carter Foundation donated an exact replica of Rogers and Soapsuds to Texas Tech in 1947.
“This statue will fit into the traditions and scenery of our great western country,” Carter said at the dedication ceremony of the memorial held on Feb. 16, 1950. “Will Rogers felt at home in the Lubbock area. His statue is a befitting monument to your students and faculty.”
Two other castings of Biggs' original work stand at the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Ok., and at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas.
“When Texas Tech went to the Cotton Bowl a couple of years ago, fans who stayed at the Anatole actually 'painted' the local Will Rogers statue red,” Snead said.
Into the Sunset (or Not)
According to legend, horse and rider were to be faced towards the west, placed on what was then known as “Soapsuds Pavilion East Memorial Circle.”
However, this placement resulted in the posterior of the horse pointing towards the center of town. This caused such an outcry from the townspeople that the entire statue was supposedly rotated 23 degrees to the east, aiming the horse’s rear toward Texas A&M.
“The rear of the horse does face A&M,” Snead said. “I don’t know if it was done on purpose or by accident. But as far as I’m concerned, it was done on purpose.”
Will Rogers and Soapsuds are dressed and ready for the game. Photo by Artie Limmer
Despite its unusual commentary on a fellow Texas college – or perhaps because of it – Will and Soapsuds have become an integral part of school spirit during football season. Beginning in the 1950s, the statue has been routinely "dressed" in red the Thursday evening before the big game in a ceremony called "Paint the Campus Red."
Today, the Saddle Tramps keep the tradition alive by wrapping Old Will before every home football game.
“It takes 10 guys about two and a half hours,” Snead said. “They use about 20 rolls of red crepe paper. When they are done, they circle Will and sing the Fight song and the Matador song. Then they decorate the rest of the campus with streamers and flags.”
Rogers and Soapsuds have also been wrapped up in black crepe paper to mourn tragedies such as the death of Waggoner Biggs, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and to commemorate Sept. 11.
Identity of Rider: Will Rogers
Identity of Horse: Soapsuds
Name of artist: Electra Waggoner Biggs
Material: Bronze
Position: One Hoof Raised
Date of Dedication: Not listed
Unusual Features: Not listed
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