Meet the cats living in Sam Houston's shadow
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Go for Sam, stay for Bogie. Photo: Gregory Castillo/Axios
A scrappy pair of cats call Huntsville's Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center home, and a home they've certainly made.
Catch up quick: The Sam Houston Statue, erected in 1994 by artist David Adickes to commemorate the historical figure, is a major checkpoint on northbound drives out of the Bayou City.
The intrigue: Among the attractions at the visitor center, including a ground-level replica of Houston's face as it appears on the statue, are two feline friends who serve as the statue's unofficial mascots.
- There's Maggie, a shy 10-year-old with a tortoiseshell coat, and Bogie, a rambunctious 7-year-old white cat.
What they're saying: Tracy Rikard, the City of Huntsville's tourism manager, said Maggie doesn't like the spotlight. But Bogie, whom she calls "Mr. Personality," lives for affection.
- "People come here to go to the statue, but they end up staying here for literally hours because of Bogie," Rikard said. "They'll be sitting on the porch or be sitting in a chair with him on their lap."
During inclement weather, Maggie prefers to fend for herself, while staff members take turns babysitting Bogie at home, Rikard said.
The bottom line: "Sam Houston would love the fact that he has a mascot," Rikard said. "I think he would love the fact that people wonder if [Bogie's] name is Sam Houston."
If you go: The visitor center is open daily until 5pm.
- It opens at 9am Monday through Friday, 10am Saturday and 11am Sunday.