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Whale Statues (page 1)

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Blue Whale
Catoosa, OK
The Blue Whale was built by Hugh Davis from 1970-1972. The 80-foot-long whale was made from wood, pipe, and concrete on Davis' pond. There is a diving platform built into the Whale's tail and a slide on both sides of the Whale's head. Davis also built picnic tables and a snack bar. He brought in sand to create a beach. The Blue Whale closed in 1988 and Davis died in 1990. The Whale has been restored a few times, most recently in 2010. It is open and free to the public for picnics and fishing but not for swimming. There are plans to renovate the site with a visitor center, a viewing deck, trails, a playground, and possibly a mini golf course by 2026, in time for the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

Next to the Whale, there is a concrete restroom building resembling a thatched hut. There are also giant mushrooms and the remains of a ship-shaped building that Davis built before the Blue Whale. It was known as "Noah's Ark" and featured snakes and an alligator farm. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

Willie the Whale
Canton, OH
Willie the Whale was built in the late 1950s for Mother Gooseland. He was located in a pool with seals. This statue is all that remains of the place which is now used as a park. The original entrance gate and a few of the buildings still stand. Several of the statues were moved to Sluggers & Putters in Canal Fulton, OH. Willie's mouth has been unsuccessfully bricked up to keep homeless people from sleeping inside him. These photos are from 2012. Since then, the park has been renovated and Willie has been restored again. In 2017, Willie was repainted green with dark stripes. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Tilly the Whale [gone]
Salisbury, MA
ca. 2002: 2004:
Tilly the Whale was built in the late 1950s. Tilly was built with wood, chicken wire, and stucco. Tillie was also known as Pinkie and Jesse by many people. She was installed next to Nat's Fun Spot, an amusement park. The park was later known as Adventure Golf and, after that, Salisbury Mini Golf & Kartland. By 2007, the place had been abandoned. In 2013, plans were made to develop the property for housing. Tilly was saved and moved to Haverhill, MA for restoration. She was to be moved Salisbury when she was done. However, in 2015, after collapsing in winter snowstorms, the plans to restore her were abandoned. For more, see this website.

Whale Car
South St. Paul, MN
This Whale Car was built to promote the WAYL-FM radio station. It has been owned by South City Motors since 2011. The car originally had WAYL painted on its sides. In 2017, the business became Chris' Century Car Company. The Whale Car was moved to the owner's business, Car and Credit Connection, where it is parked behind the building. For more, see this website. [map]

Sperm Whale
West Hartford, CT
This Sperm Whale, nicknamed Conny, was built at the Children's Museum in 1976. He is 60 feet long and 15 feet tall. You can climb inside and listen to tape recorded whale facts and sounds. The statue was refurbished in 1995. [map]

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