National Mule Memorial facts for kids
The National Mule Memorial is a special outdoor statue in Muleshoe, Texas. It was built in 1965 by the National Mule Memorial Association. This memorial has an official historical marker. The marker helps everyone remember the important part mules played in Texas's past and growth.
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What is a Mule?
A mule is a unique animal. It is a mix, or hybrid, of a horse and a donkey. Mules are known for being very strong and hardworking. Farmers used them a lot until the middle of the 1900s.
Mules as Farm Helpers
Mules were excellent draft animals. This means they were used to pull heavy things. They were especially good at plowing fields. Their strength helped them work even in tough conditions. They could pull plows through sticky clay soil.
Why Mules Became Less Common
In the early 1900s, new machines changed farming. Tractors, powered by engines, started doing the work mules once did. Because mules are a hybrid, they cannot have babies of their own. This meant that as fewer mules were needed for work, their numbers quickly dropped. They couldn't become common farm pets like other animals.
How the Memorial Started
A man named V. H. Torrance from Austin, Texas, was sad to see mules disappearing. He wrote about how important they were and suggested building a memorial. His idea became very popular across Texas.
A Radio Station Helps
Gil Lamb, who owned the radio station KMUL in Farwell, Texas, joined the effort. He strongly believed the memorial should be built in Muleshoe. This town's name itself comes from the word "mule."
About the Statue
The National Mule Memorial was officially opened in July 1965. The main part of the memorial is a statue of a real mule named Old Pete. At the time, Old Pete was 18 years old and weighed 1,100 pounds.
Creating Old Pete's Statue
Sculptor Kevin Wolf created the statue of Old Pete. He used fiberglass to make the lifelike sculpture. The statue of Old Pete was even invited to the first inauguration of President George W. Bush.
Finding the Memorial
The memorial is easy to find in Muleshoe. It is next to the Muleshoe Chamber of Commerce building. You can see it on the north side of the town, right along U.S. Highway 84. Muleshoe is a rural town in the Texas Panhandle.
