Identity of lucky artist in BOT revealed - General Tiki

F fatuhiva Member Melbourne Beach, FL Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 638	F fatuhiva Posted posted on Sun, Jan 18, 2004 10:45 PM That dragon that crumbled into the indian river last year was pretty famous around here (I was never a big fan of it- but i only saw it all rotted up) You would see it everytime you went over the causeway. It's pretty much a local legend around here.. everyone knew it. SO, I would imagine some locals knew the guy, and obviously the "anchor inn" (which sounds like it wasnt far from my house) had a connection.. I've never even seen the place- its probably gone. Anyway, I'll ask around- if you need me to go scout any locals, I'm in the area. EDIT: I did find this: someone apparently has written a kid's book on the dragon, with some history on VAN: http://www.dragonbook.com/history.htm In 1971, sculptor Louis VanDercar built “Annie,” a concrete dragon that stood guard over the Indian & Banana River lagoon on the southernmost tip of Merritt Island, Florida. Twenty tons of concrete and steel were brought in to ‘Dragon Point’ by wheelbarrow, as the only access was a wooden boardwalk. The skeleton was created with steel rods and sheets of steel, then covered with concrete to create the 65 foot long, 35 foot high dragon statue. VanDercar was an ingenious sculptor. With skillful imagination, he created the dragon with a hollow belly, complete with tables, chairs, and electricity. Hieroglyphics were painted on the inside of Annie’s belly but unfortunately, these ancient Egyptian symbols were ruined by vandals. Stairs climbed up the dragon’s neck, and children looking out the eyes could see the sun rise on one side, and set on the other. On the fourth of July, smoke billowed from her mouth. Charity events and birthday parties were common by the dragon. Children and adults alike remember Annie as a true Space Coast landmark, and a site for visitors not to miss. It is said at one time fishermen caught red fish up to 30 pounds off Dragon Point, and boaters from as far away as New England used Dragon Point as a meeting place. Erosion, salt spray, and hurricanes finally took their toll on the dragon statue and in August of 2002, Annie collapsed in the Indian and Banana river lagoon. There are no plans to rebuild the dragon. here is some new info on possibly rebuilding the dragon: http://2ndlight.com/forum42ndlight/messageview.cfm?catid=4&threadid=7154 [ Edited by: fatuhiva on 2004-01-18 23:05 ]

That dragon that crumbled into the indian river last year was pretty famous around here (I was never a big fan of it- but i only saw it all rotted up)

You would see it everytime you went over the causeway. It's pretty much a local legend around here.. everyone knew it.

SO, I would imagine some locals knew the guy, and obviously the "anchor inn" (which sounds like it wasnt far from my house) had a connection.. I've never even seen the place- its probably gone.

Anyway, I'll ask around- if you need me to go scout any locals, I'm in the area.

EDIT:

I did find this: someone apparently has written a kid's book on the dragon, with some history on VAN:

http://www.dragonbook.com/history.htm

In 1971, sculptor Louis VanDercar built “Annie,” a concrete dragon that stood guard over the Indian & Banana River lagoon on the southernmost tip of Merritt Island, Florida. Twenty tons of concrete and steel were brought in to ‘Dragon Point’ by wheelbarrow, as the only access was a wooden boardwalk. The skeleton was created with steel rods and sheets of steel, then covered with concrete to create the 65 foot long, 35 foot high dragon statue.

VanDercar was an ingenious sculptor. With skillful imagination, he created the dragon with a hollow belly, complete with tables, chairs, and electricity. Hieroglyphics were painted on the inside of Annie’s belly but unfortunately, these ancient Egyptian symbols were ruined by vandals.

Stairs climbed up the dragon’s neck, and children looking out the eyes could see the sun rise on one side, and set on the other. On the fourth of July, smoke billowed from her mouth. Charity events and birthday parties were common by the dragon.

Children and adults alike remember Annie as a true Space Coast landmark, and a site for visitors not to miss. It is said at one time fishermen caught red fish up to 30 pounds off Dragon Point, and boaters from as far away as New England used Dragon Point as a meeting place.

Erosion, salt spray, and hurricanes finally took their toll on the dragon statue and in August of 2002, Annie collapsed in the Indian and Banana river lagoon. There are no plans to rebuild the dragon.

here is some new info on possibly rebuilding the dragon:

http://2ndlight.com/forum42ndlight/messageview.cfm?catid=4&threadid=7154

[ Edited by: fatuhiva on 2004-01-18 23:05 ]

Post #70832 by fatuhiva on Sun, Jan 18, 2004 10:45 PM