Paisano Pete, Fort

Paisano Pete is a giant roadrunner statue that greets visitors to the tiny town of San Marcello, which is located at East Dickinson Boulevard & North Main Street, Fort Stockton, TX 79735, in unincorporated Bexar County, northwest of San Antonio. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Stockton and it has a lot of secrets. For example, there’s a trick to get your kids to stop running in traffic: get them to see Paisano Pete. Here’s everything you need to know about this unique landmark.

The Story of Paisano Pete

Paisano Pete is named after the roadrunner, which is native to the San Antonio area. The statue of the iconic animal is located at the San Marcello Plaza, which is named after the founder of the town, Paisano Pete. The roadrunner is also an important symbol in the Southwest, so it makes sense that this Texas town would choose it as its mascot. The statue was commissioned by the San Marcello Jaycees in 1978 and carved by local sculptor Bob Lang. The statue was a hit right away, but it didn’t receive much attention until a bigger, brighter version was installed in 1983. The original statue was unfortunately vandalized in 1993 and was replaced with a new one. The new statue was smaller and was intended to be portable, so it could be relocated to various locations. The portable roadrunner has been in one place ever since: the main street of San Marcello, where it’s been welcoming visitors for years.

What’s in a name?

When you visit Paisano Pete, you might notice that people are calling the town “Paisano.” Why is everyone using the Spanish pronunciation of the town’s name? Stockton was founded as a Spanish Mission in 1718, and the name stuck since there were so many Spanish-speaking settlers. Once the mission was abandoned, the Spanish pronunciation “Stok-ton” was invented and became the town’s official pronunciation.

Why is everyone calling Stockton “Paisano”?

When Spanish settlers moved to the San Antonio area, they named many towns and cities after themselves. Many of these names are still used today, including San Antonio, which is Spanish for “Saint Anthony.” The settlers who settled in the San Marcello area also wanted a Spanish name for their town, so they settled on “Paisano.”

Tips for photographing Paisano Pete and other San Antonio landmarks

When visiting Paisano Pete, keep in mind that the roadrunner is only partially completed. The statue is missing its head, tail and wings. Some photos of the finished statue are called fake, but the partially completed one is real. Make sure you get a shot of the fully completed roadrunner. If you’re visiting Paisano Pete while it’s raining, make sure to take a selfie of you with the statue. It’s a funny moment when you pose with a statue on the side of the road. Make sure your phone camera is set to auto focus to get the best shots of Paisano Pete and the other San Antonio landmarks. If you’re visiting San Marcello, take advantage of the gorgeous San Marcello Festival of Lights. The festival features more than 100 decorated trees, holiday music and lights along the river. It’s a great opportunity to explore the town and take some photos. If you’re visiting during the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, make sure you pay attention to your surroundings. The rodeo is a huge event in the San Antonio area, and you might miss something if you’re too focused on the rodeo arena.

Conclusion

If you’re in the San Antonio area, make sure you stop by Paisano Pete to see this iconic roadrunner statue. The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is also a big tourist attraction that’s worth visiting while you’re in Texas. If you’re visiting during the summer, make sure you visit the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which has beautiful foliage and flowers. And if you’re visiting during the winter, make sure to explore the San Antonio RiverWalk, which is home to many art galleries. Paisano Pete is one of the most unique landmarks in Texas, and it’s worth the trip to see it.

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