Popular 60-Year Old Texas Icon Destroyed By Fire! (VIDEO)

"Big Tex," who has welcomed visitors to the Texas State Fair in Dallas for more than six decades was completely destroyed by fire today.  The devastation was witnessed by hundreds of fair goers.  The cause is still unknown.

"Big Tex" is one of the most recognizable icons of the Lone Star State, akin to the Alamo and the Astordome.  He wears size 70 boots and a 75-gallon cowboy hat.  He rises more than 50-feet into the air, and drwals out an audible "Howdy y'all" to the millions who attend the fair each year.

Amateur video of the fire as it happened is quite gripping.  See below...