Most people who have lived in the Texas Panhandle or have passed through on US Hwy 60 remember the impression that Tex Randall, one of the tallest cowboys in Texas made on them. Everyone has a story to tell about Tex whether it was the first time they saw him or, as they routinely traveled the highway were he is located, it was a bench mark or mile marker for them.

Tex Randall was constructed at his location in 1959 by industrial arts teacher Harry Wheeler. The statue is composed of concrete, steel and wire mesh. The original purpose was to advertise Wheeler’s Western Store. The last restoration effort for the statue was in 1989 when a truck crashed into Tex’s left boot.

The landmark was recently restored in 2016, after six years of fundraising efforts. The Canyon community and Canyon Main Street volunteers rallied together over this time period to save the Panhandle icon. Due to the efforts of Canyon Main Street and the community, current and future generations can, once again, make memories with the 47-foot cowboy.