The Giant Justins have stood watch over San Antonio for nearly 47 years. These massive boots outside North Star Mall are not just a roadside attraction. They are a monument to Texas style and an iconic part of the local landscape.
Artist Bob Wade created the sculpture in 1979 for a project in Washington, D.C. He used urethane foam over a steel frame to construct the 35-foot-tall boots. After the exhibition concluded, the boots went up for sale. The Rouse Company, then owners of North Star Mall, purchased the sculpture for $20,000. Moving the boots to Texas proved to be a logistical task. The pieces traveled on three 18-wheelers, and drivers had to navigate back roads to avoid getting stuck under highway overpasses.
Once in San Antonio, the sculpture gained fame as the world's largest pair of cowboy boots. While their official measurements from Guinness World Records stand at 35 feet and 3 inches tall, the scale of the artwork remains impressive. The boots face Loop 410 and have become a standard feature on local postcards and tourism guides.
Bob Wade passed away in 2019, but his work continues to draw visitors. The sculpture serves as a reminder of his commitment to large-scale public art, which often featured oversized depictions of regional symbols. The boots have stood the test of time, remaining one of the most recognizable sights in the city for generations of residents and visitors alike.