Tag: Old Rip

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In 1928, when an older version of the Eastland County Courthouse was being demolished to make way for a larger model, locals gathered to witness the opening of the old building's cornerstone. When the marble time capsule was put in place back in 1897, County Clerk Ernest Wood had dropped inside it a helpless horny toad and the audience was anxious to see what had come of the little guy. After 31 years locked away in the dark, the lonesome toad surprised the crowd by being less than dead.

February 18, 2003 marked 75 years since the legend of Old Rip was born, and despite a dangerous ice storm that was sweeping through the area, revelers gathered in the warm enclosure of the county courthouse yesterday to commemorate the occasion. ... Continued

On this date, exactly 75 years ago, a tiny Texas legend was born. After his 31-year entombment in an Eastland courthouse cornerstone, Old Rip the horned lizard was discovered alive and kicking.

Although today, Feb. 18, is actually the anniversary, the Eastland commemoration will be held on Monday the 24th. Event organizer Bette "The Toad Lady" Armstrong has arranged for Bill Wood, grandson of Ernest Wood, to be in attendance. Ernest Wood was the county clerk who originally placed Old Rip in the cornerstone in 1928.

In an effort to pass on the town's history to posterity, Bette has arranged for local schoolchildren to play a major part in the celebration. Everyone, however, is encouraged to attend and to take the Old Rip Oath, in which participants vow to pass on the horny toad's legend.

So, call in sick to work on Monday and help to celebrate Old Rip's semisesquicentennial (half of one-and-a-half of a century) or sesquisemicentennial (one-and-a-half of half a century), however you want to abuse your Latin.

Tag: Old Rip

Photos

The 75th Anniversary of the Legend of Old Rip

Old Rip Gets Older