In 1978, Bob “Daddy-O” Wade from Austin, Texas, built a 40-foot-long iguana in New York City. For over a decade it sat atop the roof of the Lone Star Cafe at 5th Ave. and 13th St., while Daddy-O went on to build the World’s Largest Cowboy Boots.
But the Lone Star Cafe closed in 1991. The iguana was bought by a rich person and moved to Virginia. It rotted. Then it was bought by another rich person, restored, and moved back to Manhattan for a couple of years in the late 1990s. Then it vanished. Most people figured that the big lizard was gone for good.
Iguanas, however, are survivors. “Iggy” had in fact been bought by yet another rich person and was stashed in a barn outside of Fort Worth, Texas. That rich person’s wife was on the board of directors of the Fort Worth Zoo.
When the Zoo opened its new herpetarium (reptile house) in 2010, private discussions were held and understandings reached. The iguana was restored yet again, and while Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” blared over loudspeakers, Iggy was lifted by helicopter onto the roof of his new — and everybody hopes permanent — home. Daddy-O was there, and he was delighted.
Although the iguana stands atop a building in the Fort Worth Zoo, the best place to see it is outside Zoo property. I-30 exit 12A. Drive south on University Drive for three-quarters of a mile. After you cross the bridge, turn left at the next stoplight onto Colonial Pkwy. You'll immediately see a parking lot on the right, and the iguana is atop the building right behind it.
But the Lone Star Cafe closed in 1991. The iguana was bought by a rich person and moved to Virginia. It rotted. Then it was bought by another rich person, restored, and moved back to Manhattan for a couple of years in the late 1990s. Then it vanished. Most people figured that the big lizard was gone for good.
When the Zoo opened its new herpetarium (reptile house) in 2010, private discussions were held and understandings reached. The iguana was restored yet again, and while Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” blared over loudspeakers, Iggy was lifted by helicopter onto the roof of his new — and everybody hopes permanent — home. Daddy-O was there, and he was delighted.
