Photo: Jeremy Woodhouse / DigitalVision / Getty Images
The iconic 55-foot tall statue "Big Tex" is now in place for the upcoming Texas State Fair. A crane put the giant statue in place earlier today. Big Tex actually started as a giant Santa Claus in 1949. But two years later, it was sold to the State Fair of Texas for $750, and then transformed into the cowboy that occupies "Big Tex Circle" on the fairgrounds. The voice system that allows Tex to talk to passersby was added in 1953 and the ability to wave was added in 1997. Now, he can also turn his head. Big Tex was destroyed in 2012 by an electrical fire, but was able to be re-worked in time to be in place again the following year. The State Fair opens in one week, on Friday, September 27th.