We all love animals, whether they’re faithful friends or fascinating strangers. But what happens when they buy the farm? Kick the bucket? Pass over to the other side? Easy answer, according to these quirky U.S. tourist stops. When saying goodbye is too hard, say “stuff it” instead.
FOWL LUCK
Little America started as a Wyoming travelers oasis in 1936. It has grown to become “The World’s Largest Gas Station” – big enough to merit its own ZIP code.
Because the remote rest stop was named for South Pole explorer Admiral Byrd’s base station, a promotional team decided live penguins might be an interesting tourist attraction. Unfortunately, two Emperor penguins, bought and paid for, didn’t survive the trip from Antarctica. So the owners had the unfortunate fowl stuffed and respectfully mounted. In time, the penguins became Little America’s mascots. Today, one glass-encased, 3-foot-tall penguin is displayed in the main lobby of Little America.
Want to have a gas? Make a stop at Little America. For info, call
307-875-2400.
A DOG OF OUR OWNEY
Owney, the unofficial Postal Service mascot, is probably one of the most unusual exhibits on display within the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. His tiny doggy bod, stuffed and mounted and shimmering with mail bag tags, is part of the National Postal Museum collection. (That’s a drawing of him above.)
Once an abandoned pooch, Owney was found outside a post office in 1888. The mail clerk who discovered his near-frozen body wrapped him in empty mail bags for warmth. “After that,” museum director James Bruns said, “he liked anyone who smelled like a mail bag.”
Sadly, Owney died of a gunshot wound nine years later, in 1897.
Want to give this tourist attraction your stamp of approval? For info on visiting, call the Smithsonian Institution at 202-357-1300
FRED UNDER GLASS
Firehouse Fred was born an ordinary horse in 1900. But by 1907, the stocky little Morgan was a faithful member of the New Bern (N.C.) Fire Department. Fred was so smart, according to Fireman’s Museum manager Ben Gaskill, “when he heard the alarm, he would back right up to his fire wagon harness.”
After 18 years in the fire department, the old horse suffered a deadly heart attack racing to offer assistance. (Bummer: That call turned out to be a false alarm.)
Fred’s body was stuffed and mounted in an exhibit at the New Bern Fireman’s Museum. But the preservation process didn’t hold up. So today only his head and shoulders remain.
Fired up about visiting Fred? Call the New Bern Fireman’s Museum at 919-636-4087 for more info.
TOUGH AS LEATHER
Locals like to think Old Joe was ancient when he died. Some say the 11-foot-long alligator was pushing 300. One thing is certain, though. Even if Old Joe’s spirit is basking in heavenly light, his enormous green-brown body lingers on Earth – stuffed and mounted and respectfully displayed in the Wakulla Springs (Fla.) Hotel lobby.
For years Old Joe wandered Florida sand bars, never bothering anyone, according to Wakulla Springs Lodge staff – not even kids who swam in the murky waters nearby. Locals considered Old Joe a community treasure and were outraged when poachers shot and killed him in 1966.
The Fish and Wildlife Service stuffed Joe and used him as an educational tool until he was put on permanent display at the lodge.
Want to see this gator later? For info, call the Wakulla Springs Lodge at 850-922-3632
