Italy, Texas: Starship Pegasus (Gone)

On a recent trip through Texas we sorrowfully found Starship Pegasus is still closed. The large sign out front says that along with the "ship" you get lots of "space" ... nearly 7 and a half acres of Earthly terra firma. Please, the starship has been in dry dock far too long.

Unfortunately, the Starship is closed and the property is for sale. The restaurant used to have some of the best pizza around. Not enough aliens stopped in, though.

I am sad to say that when my fiance and I last popped by the Starship Pegasus, its doors were closed for good. A reply email from proprietor Andrew Gee implied that he was indeed seeking a new location.

Sci-Fi themed snack bar/soda shop shaped like USS Enterprise -- dining in the saucer section. Three story rocket ship telescope next door, concrete flying saucer and alien family photo op in front. Monolithic Domes alternate construction tour nearby.

Just south of the giant caterpillar on I-35, visitors can stop at the landing pad for Starship Pegasus, a Star Trek starship-shaped building. Starship Pegasus is a family entertainment center "that fosters the interest in learning about science, outer space, and astronomy and at the same time be an entertaining place with a science fiction theme." Phase I, now complete, is the starship building, which contains an eatery, video game arcade, XBox Stations, and Lunar Miniature Golf.

Creator/owner Andy Gee has charted ambitious plans for "Phase II" -- a complex of businesses, shaped like planets, comprising a "College of Space Exploration." inc. a hotel/convention center, exhibit dome, restaurant and theater. The artist's model of the complex suggest to us that Andy may use airform dome-building technology offered by the giant caterpillar's Monolithic Constructors.

To set up his non-profit org and build Phase II, Andy is searching for a volunteer lawyer and $12 million dollars. According to Andy, "I am still seeking funding to build phase 2. Once it is obtained we can begin construction very quickly." More info at their web site. March 5, 2005: Andy reports he has "been approved as the Starship Pegasus Foundation, under the National Heritage Foundation. I now have non profit tax deductible status under them as the umbrella organization."