Mid City Times

She has been a symbol of Fort Worth for nearly 25 years. Known as "Cowtown," it is fitting that the city's official mascot is a longhorn steer whose image is prevalent throughout Fort Worth.

Molly's likeness appears on various items, including shirts, buildings, printed materials, and mugs. She is so recognized that every new City of Fort Worth employee receives a lapel pin featuring her emblem on their first day.

At city-sponsored events in recent years, attendees may have seen Molly moving around in her life-sized costume. This version of the legendary steerhead adds a lively presence to VIP appearances.

The story of Molly dates back to the early 1900s when Fort Worth was establishing itself as a significant stop for travelers on the Chisholm Trail. Molly is inspired by a longhorn head sculpture on the Livestock Exchange Building in the Stockyards. Built in 1902 as a central point for cattle traders, this building symbolizes Fort Worth's strong connection to the cattle industry.

The sculpture was installed in 1909 as an homage to the city's cattle-driven history and was reportedly named Molly because it is said that the first longhorn in a herd bears that name.

On July 18, 2000, the City Council officially adopted Molly as its mascot. Today, she features prominently on all city-branded materials and at city-sponsored events. She also holds significance as public artwork within the City Council Chamber at 200 Texas St.