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The beloved statue in front of The Elephant Hotel in Somers, known as Old Bet, was taken down because officials discovered that it was beginning to crack, Town Supervisor Robert Scorrano said on Tuesday, July 25.
The statue dates back to 1827 when a gilt wood replica of an elephant was installed on iron scrollwork on top of a granite shaft in front of the hotel, which was built between 1820 and 1825 and is located at 335 US-202. The building is now used as Town Hall and as a museum for the town's Historical Society.
Fans of the statue need not mourn its loss, as a new one created by a local sculptor is planned to be erected by the fall of 2023, Scorrano said.
Before it can be installed though, town officials have to make sure the column it sits on can support its weight.
This is because the new Old Bet weighs around 575 pounds compared to its predecessor, which weighed around 270 pounds.
"We're hoping it's going to be the last one," Scorrano said. "That's why we're trying to make sure everything is structurally sound."
The new statue, made of bronze, is expected to last for the next 200 to 300 years, according to Scorrano, who added that this will be the fourth Old Bet statue installed in Somers.
The new statue can be installed once officials receive word on the column's structural integrity.
"We have to make sure everything is safe and secure before we put it back up," Scorrano said.
The statue was built to honor Old Bet, the second elephant brought to America. The elephant was purchased by Hachaliah Bailey, who built the hotel and was known for touring with Old Bet and other wild animals, introducing the traveling menagerie as popular entertainment in the region.
The hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005 for its role in the development of the American circus.
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