Daniel Boone statue.

Daniel Boone - Pioneer Giant (Gone)

A bearded frontiersman gazes skyward, daintily hoisting a too-spindly rifle to the heavens. We know it's Daniel Boone only because he stands on top of the sign for "The Shops at Daniel Boone," a shopping center in Hillborough.

We've seen this fiberglass statue model before -- not a Muffler Man -- and chiefly found in the southeast. There were two variations -- one standing and one sitting -- originally sculpted for the 1960s Wagon Ho restaurant chain. Many of the franchised signature buildings were shaped like giant Conestoga wagons, with a seated wagon master (and/or the standing pioneer, holding a whip). The buildings are gone, but statues were sold and survived, hence this pioneer sans wagon.

In 2006, we heard that the Hillsborough shopping plaza had been sold to a developer, and Daniel Boone would not be part of any future property enhancement. But years later he hasn't gone anywhere.

Daniel Boone - Pioneer Giant

The Shops at Daniel Boone Village

Directions:: 100 yards north of Interstate 85 exit 164, turn right into The Shops at Daniel Boone Village past Shell station.
Status:: Gone

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