The Mystery of El Paso's 'Jackie Kennedy Statue': A Case of Mistaken Identity

Closeup of Uniroyal Girl statue in El Paso, TexasPhoto byHeather Shade/Lost El Paso Paranormal Facebook

A little-known roadside attraction in El Paso has intrigued social media, sparking a lively conversation about the rare statue.

A follower of the Facebook public group Roadside America Offbeat Quirky Tourist Attractions posted a photo of what she identified as a “Jackie Kennedy statue in El Paso, Texas”. Many who commented were skeptical of the statue's purported identity, suggesting she looked more like a car hop or a "giant hooker."

The off-the-beaten-path roadside giant was indeed misidentified, although there is a reason why it bears a striking resemblance to the former first lady.

The Truth Behind 'Jackie Kennedy Statue': The Fascinating History of El Paso's Roadside Uniroyal Girl

Uniroyal Girl in El Paso, TXPhoto byStephanie Cheesman via Roadside America Offbeat Quirky Tourist Attractions Facebook

The “Jackie Kennedy statue” is, in fact, one of the “Uniroyal Girls,” 17-foot-tall fiberglass fixtures manufactured for Uniroyal in the early 1970s to advertise its tires.

According to the website American Giants, the large ladies were originally made to stand outside gas stations and automotive repair stores to promote Uniroyal products.

Its likeness to Jackie, per American Giants, is because it was “sculpted by an unknown artist who supposedly had a thing” for former president John F. Kennedy's widow.

The original Uniroyal Gals sported an orange bikini. They were also issued a dress, which could be taken on or off depending on the whims of the business owners or the community’s morality.

Uniroyal Girl in Peoria, ILPhoto byJames Brudwick via Roadside America Offbeat Quirky Tourist Attractions Facebook

The surviving statues are now dressed in varied colorful attire with or without dress or accessories. Our gal wears a pair of red mules on her feet, what appears to be a bracelet on her left wrist, and is dressed in a blue skirt and white top with a red vest.

And while most now appear to be pretend-holding an imaginary torch in an homage to the Statue of Liberty, the right arm initially held a Uniroyal tire.

Uniroyal Girl "Marge" holding tire. Omaha, NEPhoto byAmerican Giants Youtube

Where is El Paso’s Uniroyal Gal and How Did it End Up Here?

After the giant outdoor advertising craze cooled in the mid-'70s and oversized statues weren’t the attention-getters they once were, Uniroyal ended the larger-than-life promotional program.

The Uniroyal Gals were either left where they last stood, sold to the business owner, torn down, or tossed away. In the ensuing years, most were bought and sold by private businesses or collectors.

The El Paso giantess is one of around a dozen or so still standing around the U.S.

Uniroyal Girl in El Paso, TexasPhoto byGoogle Street/Heather Shade Lost El Paso Paranormal Facebook

It’s unclear how or when it ended up in the outskirts of El Paso County, although photos of the quirky landmark on the Roadside America website date back to 2010.

If your curiosity has been piqued and a photo of you posing with El Paso’s Uniroyal Girl is something you have to have, you’ll find her hiding in plain sight seemingly greeting travelers at the entrance to an event hall on Mager Drive just off Montana in Far East El Paso.

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