Two enormous dinosaurs tower over the roadside in Cabazon, California. One is a 150-foot-long Brontosaurus named Dinny, and the other is a 65-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex called Mr. Rex. These colossal figures are not just impressive sights; they were created with a specific purpose in mind.
The project began in 1964 when Claude Bell, a sculptor and theme park artist, sought to draw more customers to his restaurant, the Wheel Inn. After years of planning and construction, Dinny was completed in 1975, followed by Mr. Rex in 1986. The dinosaurs were made from steel and concrete, using materials salvaged from the nearby freeway.
Bell's vision included more than just their impressive size. He envisioned Dinny's eyes glowing at night and its mouth spitting fire, intending to terrify passing drivers. Although these features were never realized, the dinosaurs became a notable landmark and even appeared in the film "Pee-wee's Big Adventure."
After Bell's death in 1988, his family sold the property, which underwent several transformations. New ownership turned it into a roadside creationist museum in 2005, although this aspect has since faded away. The dinosaurs, however, continue to stand as enduring symbols of roadside Americana, visible to all who travel Interstate 10.
These towering dinosaurs are a testament to one man's ambition to combine art and commerce in a striking way.
