Iggy

Iggy, the iguana, first displayed at Niagra Falls, reigned over the Lone Star Cafe, a popular country western music showcase on Lower 5th Avenue at the corner of 13th Street in New York City, for many years beginning in 1977. He had, at the time this photo was taken, seen better days. The 40 foot long, 2,600 pound statue was the creation of Bob "Daddy-O" Wade. After the demise of the Lone Star Cafe in 1989, Iggy went on an odvssey. First purchased by Virginians and put on display at their farm, in 1997, he was bought back by Wade and Monk White and put on display at Pier 25 in Tribeca. Two years later he was bought by Wade's patron, Lee Bass, moved to the Fort Worth, Texas area, and stored in a barn for over 10 years. Fortunately for Iggy his story did not end there. In 2007, the Fort Worth Zoo began work on a new exhibit, a herpetarium to be known as the Museum of Living Art (MOLA). As luck would have it, Bass's wife was a co-chairwoman of the zoo's board. The idea of installing Iggy, who combined both themes, a reptile and object of art, arose. Bass agreed to loan Iggy to the zoo for everyone to enjoy. After extensive rehab work, including restoration of his tail, missing in this photo, Iggy, now a vibrant green color, was installed with much fanfare on the roof of the MOLA building on June 1, 2010. To see Iggy in all his present glory, search Flickr or go to the Fort Worth Zoo site at www.fortworthzoo.org/iggy/. Scanned 35mm negative. (1V019)