“Tex Randall” is the name that was given in 1987 to the 47-foot-tall statue in Canyon, Texas, in Randall County. The statue was originally built in 1959 to promote a Western curio shop and was called “Texas’ Biggest Texan.” In 2008, the statue was badly deteriorated and there was talk of moving it or even destroying it.
   
In 1987, the statue was also given a slogan: “Standing Over Texas.”
 
 
Roadside America
Tex Randall, Big Texan
Canyon, Texas
Tex Randall is touted as the “Biggest Texan”—although you’d hear a strong argument from the Texas State Fairgrounds their Big Texan tops the charts. But this Tex is mighty big.
 
He’s been here in Canyon since 1959. Industrial arts teacher Harry Wheeler built “Texas’ Biggest Texan” to promote his Western curio shop. Tex Randall is 47 feet tall and weighs seven tons.
 
Tex is constructed of concrete, with an internal structure of pipe, rebar, and wire mesh. He originally wore real denim jeans and a red checkered shirt, courtesy of a local tent and awning store. He casually held a giant cigarette in one hand. His sturdy design has helped him survive 100mph winds, along with a network of steel struts and cable anchoring him to the ground.
 
Amarillo.com
Web-posted Thursday, June 19, 2008
Canyon statue is shot
It’s time for ol’ Tex to be movin’ along
By Janelle Stecklein
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Poor old Tex. People love him, but nobody seems to know quite what to do with him.
 
Part of the problem, people say, is that as he’s aged and fallen into disrepair.
 
“As you can see, the statute has completely and totally deteriorated,” said Cheryl Malcolm, the executive director of the Canyon Chamber of Commerce.
(...)
The Legend of Tex Randall
. Originally helped advertise creator Harry Wheeler’s Gunfighter Museum and Curio Shop.

. Upon the sale of the business, Tex’s condition began to deteroriate.

. At one time, Tex was clothed by Levi Strauss Jeans, but the weather wore down the jeans. His shirt also was made of fabric at one point, but the weather destroyed that as well.

. Tex used to hold a cigarette in his hand, but it was later replaced by a spur.

. The Canyon Chamber of Commerce used to pay $1 per month to lease Tex.

. In February 1987, Tex Randall was officially named during the “Name the Cowboy” contest. The name was selected because it was the most representative of the Panhandle.

. During the same time, the slogan “Standing Over Texas” was adopted for Tex.

. In 1986, Canyon residents initiated the “Save the Cowboy” fundraising campaign to raise money to repair Tex.

. In 1988, officials paid at least $6,000 to repair Tex’s fiberglass clothing. Included in those repairs were a new foot; a new Stetson-style hat; new fingers; and new spurs, one on the left boot and one in the right hand.