From the Archives: 1989 Wrangler’s Gator
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It sounded like a good idea at the time. 35 years ago, a new country rock bar was opening.
The owner from the gulf coast wanted to make a live alligator his mascot.
In this edition of Thursday Throwback, we show you how it all went wrong.
It was called Wrangler’s, and it was a country-western night club.
The owner had a pet alligator named Hank. He was named after the famous country singer Hank Williams, Jr.
He brought lots of attention to the bar, until the health department said he couldn’t be there. The health department said Hank could not play where people eat.
In 1989, Hank the gator was only five feet long. But he could have grown up to 15 feet long.
Hank left our area and went to a game reserve in South Georgia.
