SALADO, Texas (KWTX) – A statue of Robert Duvall as Gus McCrae in “Lonesome Dove” has become a memorial site where people pay tribute to the late Hollywood actor.
The sculpture depicts Duvall as Gus McCrae from the acclaimed Western miniseries and sits on Main Street in Salado. Artist Ronnie Wells, who created the piece, said visitors from across the region have stopped by to honor Duvall’s legacy.
“I feel so much gratitude that people seem to relate, through the sculpture, to the point they’re willing to come here and acknowledge Robert Duvall and his career. So, its flattering,” Wells said.
Wells has created art for more than 50 years and operates a gallery across the street from the statue. He said a Salado resident commissioned the sculpture after being captivated by another piece Wells had created featuring both Woodrow Call and Gus McCrae.
“And it basically has the two cowboys, Gus and Woodrow, herding some steers up the Chisholm Trail. And, he said that every time he came in he was captivated by that. So, that basically inspired the commission,” Wells said.
The sculpture became popular with locals and Duvall himself. After learning about the statue, Duvall sent Wells a thank you note and video, which remain displayed in Wells’ gallery.
“I told him, I said, ‘you know, whether you wanted this or not, when you portrayed that character, you caught lightning in a bottle. And, you will forever be linked with Augustus McCrae. Whether you like it or not, that’s just the thing,’” Wells said.
The location holds significance to the “Lonesome Dove” story. The cattle drive McCrae embarked on in the miniseries followed the Chisholm Trail, which passed through present-day Salado.
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