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Fort Worth, Texas News

Meet Molly: The Iconic Bovine Mascot Who Represents Fort Worth's Rich History

For nearly 25 years, Molly the mascot has been the face of Fort Worth, famously known as "Cowtown." As Fort Worth’s official mascot, Molly is an instantly recognizable figure with her iconic longhorn profile. She proudly represents the city’s deep-rooted ties to the cattle industry and is a symbol of its vibrant history.

Molly’s face can be spotted all over the city, emblazoned on T-shirts, printed materials, buildings, mugs, and even on the lapel pin given to every new City of Fort Worth employee on their first day. Beyond printed materials, Molly is also a familiar presence at City-sponsored events. Dressed in a life-sized mascot costume, Molly is often seen “moo-ving” through venues, spreading cheer and fun to event attendees.

But how did Fort Worth come to adopt a longhorn as its mascot? The answer lies in the city’s cattle-driven history, dating back to the early 1900s when Fort Worth served as a major stop on the Chisholm Trail. Molly’s design is loosely based on the longhorn head sculpture that sits atop the Livestock Exchange Building in the Stockyards, constructed in 1902 as a key hub for cattle traders. The building’s longhorn sculpture became a symbol of the city’s pivotal role in the cattle industry, and according to local legend, the first longhorn in a herd is called "Molly," leading to the sculpture’s unofficial name.

In 1909, the longhorn sculpture was installed as a tribute to Fort Worth’s booming cattle trade and burgeoning identity as a hub for the livestock industry. Nearly a century later, on July 18, 2000, the Fort Worth City Council officially adopted Molly as the City’s mascot, further cementing her status as a beloved icon of Fort Worth’s rich agricultural heritage.

Today, Molly’s influence extends beyond just printed materials. She holds a special place as public artwork, prominently displayed in the City Council Chamber at 200 Texas Street. Her iconic image continues to be a source of pride for Fort Worth residents, embodying the spirit of a city that grew from its roots as a cattle town to the modern cultural hub it is today.

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