‘Where’s the beaver?’ Fans await beloved statue outside South MS Buc-ee’s
They’ve watched the construction, seen the billboards and now those who are eager for Mississippi’s first Buc-ee’s to open are waiting for the placement of the iconic beaver statue near the entrance of the travel center along I-10 at Exit 24.
The grand opening is just six weeks away on Monday, June 9, and people are wondering on social media when the beaver will appear.
Workers in the area pointed out a pad for the statue the beaver will stand on by the north door.
The first statue, which resembles the beaver on Buc-ee’s billboards, was created by Clint Howard at Deep in the Heart Foundry in Bastrop, Texas, about 30 miles southeast of Austin.
The design starts with a 4-inch model that is enlarged and cast in metal, according to a report by CBS Austin. The pieces of the bronze statue are welded together to create the familiar beaver. The first prototype took seven months to build.
Not every Buc-ee’s has a beaver, but in 2019 there were 29 statues made and more were on order, the report said.
Arch Aplin III, co-founder of Buc-ee’s, is nicknamed “Beaver” and the beaver statue has become a trademark and a favorite place for selfies and family photos.
It isn’t just here in South Mississippi that people talk about the Beaver. When the beaver statues got a recent makeover — a little slimmer and with more defined hand features — the online reviews were mixed.
Some people said they like the new look while others said they prefer the beaver just the way he was.
Either way, it’s doubtful the changes in the beaver will keep people away when the brisket is hot, the restrooms are sparkling and a variety of beaver stuffed animals are among the souvenirs waiting for locals and travelers when the new Buc-ee’s opens in South Mississippi.
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
