By James Waterson Every once in a while, you see something that makes you ask “what is this doing here?” or “why is this a thing?” In most cases, these are two perfectly legitimate questions. Sometimes it’s better to shut that part of your mind off and simply appreciate what you’re seeing. As it turns out, the Lone Star State is full of many of these kinds of oddities that appeal to our universal love of the weird. This is best shown off by the many wacky roadside attractions in Texas that you can go see at just about any time. In fact, there are so many that we couldn’t possibly list them all here. However, the list below should get you started on your path to the weird side of Texas. Dalmatian Fire Hydrant In a city full of strange roadside attractions (like a 135-foot-long alligator), the Dalmatian Hydrant stands out. Planted right outside of the Fire Museum of Texas in downtown Beaumont, this 24-foottall white and black-spotted fire hydrant is considered to be the largest of its kind in the world. At this point, you might be wondering “why would anyone build such a large fire hydrant?” As it turns out, truth is stranger than fiction. The hydrant was donated to Beaumont in 1999 by Walt Disney to promote the re-release of the animated flick “101 Dalmatians.” Fun fact: the spots on the hydrant are copyrighted by Walt Disney, adding a touch of Hollywood to this wacky roadside attraction. Beer Can House Before 1968, the Beer Can House was an unassuming abode on the western side of Houston. Then John Milkovisch, a retired Southern Pacific Railroad worker, started creating unique (and reflective) landscaping features by inlaying marbles, rocks, and metal into concrete and redwood. Eighteen years later, his entire house was covered in more than 50,000 flattened beer cans and featured other touches such as metallic garlands that lowered the family’s energy bills. Today, the home is a beloved Houston attraction that is a fine testament to the kind of odd folk art you see created by spectacularly creative people. To visit the house, simply stop by in the afternoon on any given Saturday or Sunday. Photo Credit: Andrew Wiseman/Wikimedia Commons
