Travelers along highway 87 take note of both the tall smokestack and the car perched atop the roof of the country store at 603 N. Lynn Ave.
Some 100 feet tall, the smokestack is a remnant of the buildings former uses first as a powdered milk plant built in the late 1920’s and later as an egg processing facility which was one of the largest of its kind during world war II. The car a 1955 Cadillac, was places atop the roof in the late 1970’s after Gordon Waldrop obtained the building and turned it into a ranch and farm supply business. The care serves as an attention-getter and advertised Waldrop’s antique car display inside the building.
One block west, in the 400 block of south 2nd street. It’s simply known as the wall, and its history as a local landmark dates back to the late 1920’s or early 30’s. Originally there was a block long brick wall-part of competing lumber companies one each side of the street, giving the clock its all street nickname. Sometime in the late 1930’s, local youngsters started painting their names and other graffiti on the walls—perhaps without permission but also without punishment from the owners. Over the years, the routine painting of graffiti on the wall has largely given way to a tradition of the seniors at Lamesa high school painting the entire wall, with their names and other artwork, in one big event a couple of days before graduation.
Some call her bertha bethel, but to most she s just known generally as the big lady or the tall woman in front of Reid Bethel Tire Co. at 310 S. Dallas Ave.
Built of fiberglass, the 16ft tall figure in high heels originally was used to promote Uniroyal tires when it came to Lamesa in the early 1960’s now owned by store manager Gary Culp, the figure was repainted several years ago to resemble Lamesa high school golden tornado cheerleader. Travelers along business route 87 through town regularly stop to take photos with the big lady.
