Hat 'n' Boots facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hat 'n' Boots |
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The Hat and Boots of Oxbow Park
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| Location | Seattle, Washington |
| Designated | June 20, 2011 |
Hat 'n' Boots is a super cool and giant landmark in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Imagine a huge cowboy hat and two giant cowboy boots! These amazing structures were built way back in 1954. They were part of a gas station that had a fun Western theme. People say it's the biggest hat and cowboy boots in all of America! To keep this special landmark safe, the City of Seattle moved Hat 'n' Boots to a new place called Oxbow Park in December 2003. Now, kids can play around them!
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Discovering Hat 'n' Boots
What exactly is Hat 'n' Boots? It's a huge, fun sculpture! The giant cowboy hat is actually the roof of what used to be an office. The two big cowboy boots were the restrooms. One boot was for boys and the other for girls. This unique design made the gas station stand out. It was a real eye-catcher for travelers.
The Giant Hat and Boots
The hat is about 44 feet wide and 22 feet tall. That's like a three-story building! The boots are each 20 feet tall. They are so big you could almost live inside them. These structures are made of wood and steel. They are covered with a special material called stucco. This makes them strong and able to last a long time.
A Look Back: Its Early Days
Hat 'n' Boots was created in 1954. It was part of a gas station called the "Pony Express" gas station. This station was designed to look like something from the Wild West. It was a time when many businesses tried to catch people's attention with unique buildings.
Why Was It Built?
The gas station was built by a man named John T. Jacobsen. He wanted to create something memorable. He hired two architects, Lewis Nasmyth and Fred Bassetti. They designed the amazing hat and boots. The idea was to make the gas station a fun stop for families traveling by car. It was a time when cars were becoming very popular.
A Popular Roadside Stop
For many years, the Pony Express gas station was a popular spot. People would stop to fill their cars with gas. They would also take pictures with the giant hat and boots. It became a famous roadside attraction. A roadside attraction is something interesting you see from the road. It makes you want to stop and look.
Saving a Seattle Landmark
Over time, the gas station closed down. The Hat 'n' Boots started to look old and worn out. People worried that this special landmark might be torn down. But many people in Seattle loved Hat 'n' Boots. They wanted to save it.
Moving to Oxbow Park
In 2003, the City of Seattle decided to save Hat 'n' Boots. They moved it from its original spot to a new park. This park is called Oxbow Park. Moving such huge structures was a big job! It took a lot of planning and effort. The move happened in December 2003.
A Designated Landmark
After the move, Hat 'n' Boots was cleaned up and repaired. It looked brand new! On June 20, 2011, the city officially named Hat 'n' Boots a "Seattle Landmark." This means it's a very important part of Seattle's history. It is protected so it can be enjoyed by future generations.
Hat 'n' Boots in Pop Culture
Because Hat 'n' Boots is so unique, it has appeared in movies! It was shown in the opening credits of the film National Lampoon's Vacation. It also appeared in a movie called Hype!. This shows how famous and recognizable this fun landmark is.
