Bosco is also very arroga⦠Japanese journalists interviewed the mayor and his staff and a Tibetan priest arrived at the Sunol Lounge, requesting to meet Bosco. Join National Geographic author, photographer, and Palm Springs resident Christopher P. Baker on this privately guided, one-of-a-kind photography workshop. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. News services in Germany and Holland carried the stories. Because of being a pedigree which he is absurdly proud, Bosco believes himself superior to the dog considered mutts, showing them only contempt and virtually no respect. Thatâs because their mayor was a Labrador retriever and, though this may or may not be unusual behavior for a politician, it is acceptable when the politician is a dog. Name * Email * Website. Running as a "Re-pup-lican," Bosco won the election in a landslide, resulting in international news coverage. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. For the next 13 years, Mayor Bosco wandered the town during the day, often stopping in ⦠Previous. Bosco was elected mayor of Sunol in 1983 and served his community faithfully for eleven years, until his death in 1994. Boscoâs name was put on the ballot as a bit of a joke but he beat out his two human opponents to become Mayor and town Mascot. Lena Toritch, a Russian artist living in Salt Lake City, was selected by the town to create the sculpture. As part of his duties, Bosco appeared at social events in a stately tuxedo and helped lead the townâs annual Halloween parade. While the community fondly remembered the loyal beast, it was not until 2008 that the life-size statue was installed. "He's the father of a lot of little black puppies around Sunol," one local told us. In 2008, a statue memorializing Bosco was erected in front of the town's Post Office. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Winner will be selected at random on 01/01/2021. If bar patrons were plastered, Bosco was known to accompany each on a sobering stroll along the railroad tracks. He led the annual Halloween parade, and could often be seen at Sunol events and social gatherings in his formal tuxedo. 4. Offer subject to change without notice. Bosco defeated two humans to win the honorary mayoral election in 1981 and served until his death in 1994. Stillman entered his dog, then a one-year-old pup, as an Independent candidate and Bosco defeated thetwo human candidates. While his title as mayor of the small, unincorporated town was purely ceremonial, one ⦠Bosco was a mix of black Labrador and Rottweiler, ostensibly the Stillman family pet, but ultimately a classic town mascot. The dog is in honor of "Bosco Ramos" who was the mayor of Sunol; from 1981 till his death in 1994 (of old age) with the unique accolade of being an actual canine (Dog) voted in by Sunol residents. See. A memorial to a memorial to a dog that inspired rioting in the streets of London. Duke the four-term ceremonial dog mayor of a Minnesota town, went to "doggy heaven" this week, his owner confirmed on Facebook. These dogs are also used as a way to raise money for animal shelters. Today, a statue commemorates the townâs favorite mayor in front of the post office. Bosco, the Dog Mayor. Bosco the dog, a dog elected honorary mayor of Sunol, California BOSCO-Uganda , a non-profit internet connectivity organization Bosco-Russia , a large Russian sports brand with flagship store in GUM, who provided Russian Olympic teams with official sportswear May 4, 2017 Daven Hiskey Leave a comment. When Leber moved away, Bosco became Stillmanâs dog. Neither Spanish settlers nor anyone since has been able to tell who built these strange California rock walls. Bosco_the_Dog_Mayor_of_Sunol. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. No purchase necessary. So much so that, when elections came up, Bosco the dog was voted in as the honorary mayor, beating out two humans.  Â. All elected mayors of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky (unofficial ) have been dogs. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Statue to Bosco, Dog-Mayor of Sunol In 1981, apparently as a joke, the unincorporated town of Sunol elected as its mayor Bosco Ramos, a mixed Labrador and Rottweiler owned by the Stillman family; he beat out two human candidates in the process. The bartender lifts the dog's left rear leg to draw a pint of beer. The bar itself is pretty quaint and the adjacent was closed at the time. When we visited, bartender Michelle coaxed the dead dog into streaming Michelob Dark. His owner, Tom Stillman, took him everywhere and eventually Bosco became a town favorite. A memorial to the only dog ever officially enlisted in the Royal Navy. In the wake of Tianamen Square, Bosco was an invited, high profile participant in a 30-hour pro-democracy rally in front of the Chinese consulate in San Francisco. Bosco was elected to that honorary title of the small, unincorporated town in 1981. The China People's Daily cited the election as proof of the failure of American democracy. Bosco died peacefully in his sleep in 1994; a few days earlier, he'd been driven around town to survey his domain one last time. Bosco was a mix of black Labrador and Rottweiler, ostensibly the Stillman family ⦠Like the Alpha, he declares openly that he is the one who makes the law in the park. Don Bosco had reached a lonely spot when, hearing steps, he turned to see a man close to him with an uplifted stick. Bosco was the first mayor elected in Sunol, 45 miles east of San Francisco. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. In 1997, a cat named Stubbs was elected mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska. He was America's first dog mayor. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the Creative Commons CC0 License; all unstructured text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Bosco the dog beat out two humans in a 1981 mayoral race in Sunol, California, and served until his death in 1994. The Dog Mayor statue, unveiled Dec. 19, 2008. As firefighters fought the blaze, Bosco sat out in front on his rug, "looking sad," according to one witness. A statute of Bosco the Dog. Bosco would serve in the honorary role of Sunol's Mayor from 1981 all the way until his death in 1994. A small Montana town commemorates the dog who waited at the train station every day for his owner to return. All rights reserved. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Bosco the dog, Mayor of Sunol, California. In 1989, Bosco's fame ignited internationally after a Chinese Communist newspaper, the Peoples Daily, proclaimed his election was proof that democratic elections don't work. Don Bosco was a swift runner in those days, but his enemy was swifter and soon caught up with him. How Did Madagascar Become the World's Biggest Producer of Vanilla? Required fields are marked * Comment. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). tourist attractions and odd sights in California. Sitting outside of the post office in Sunol, California there is a bronze bust of a black dog named Bosco, but more than just a memorial for a beloved pet, this statue is actually a representation of one of the townâs former mayors.Â, Full name Bosco Ramos, the black labrador retriever generally known simply as Bosco may have been the only dog to ever serve as an American mayor. Back for another pint at Bosco's Bones and Brew. Bosco Ramos, Dog: In 1981, a black Labrador-Rottweiler mix named Bosco Ramos defeated two humans to be elected mayor of Sunol, California. Â, During his tenure, Bosco was essentially let to carouse around the town, so now in addition to the statue outside the post office remembering the animalâs legacy, there are reportedly a number of black puppies that appeared to continue his bloodline. Bosco, the dog was elected honorary mayor of Sunol, California and served for 13 years! This page was last edited on 10 June 2018, at 20:57. A Roman-inspired temple once controlled half of San Francisco's waters. He is especially has a strong taste for bullying, as when he scares Marmaduke when he meets him. Mothman Statue, Point Pleasant, West Virginia (Dec 7-13, 2020). Bosco Ramos, Sunol, Calif.: Bosco, a handsome Rottweiler-Labrador Retriever mix, was elected honorary mayor of Sunol in 1981.He got on the ballot as a joke (not registered with any party), and wound up beating two human opponents for the mayorship. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. Sunol, California is a small town with a population under 1,000 and one special claim to fame. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. âHe was a fun-loving dog,â Stillman said. Private Trip: Immersive Art and Otherworldly Landscapes of Santa Fe, Weird Homes Holiday Tour: Decked Out Collections, A Holiday Gathering: Food, Foraging, and Mythology, Tales From the Museum: Best of Museums A-Z, Detangling the Devilish Origins of Scandinavia's St. Lucia Buns, This 19th-Century Cocktail Still Fights Cold Nights in the Midwest, Cultural Heritage Is Caught Up in the Conflict Over Nagorno-Karabakh. © Copyright 1996-2020 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. [Bosco's owner Tom STILLMAN - comments on election.] [Newspaper writer Ruth PEARLE - defines "dogmocracy."] The Great Pyrenees was 13 years old when he died Thursday. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. The video includes some recollections by Sunol residents, bits of the ceremony, and a short beer break in Bosco⦠He would hang out in front of the local bar, mooching treats from friends and visitors. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. The 125-year old Lyon's Brewery and other buildings were destroyed. Discover Bosco the Dog Mayor in Sunol, California: The black lab that was voted mayor of a California town is forever remembered by a life-size statue. © 2020 Atlas Obscura. Bosco Ramos has been dead since 1994, but Sunol, California still misses their dog mayor. This quaint archive of the silent era preserves and pays homage to a seminal moment in film history. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worldâs hidden wonders. In December 19, 2008, the local government unveiled Bosco's statue situated next to the post office, under the the town clock. Here, Father Agapius Honcharenko established his homestead, becoming the first nationally conscious Ukrainian to settle in the United States. The pet of the local Stillman family, Bosco was nominated for the office as a joke, but ended up beating out two actual humans who would have liked to have been voted honorary mayor. Hotels near (SFO) SFO Intl Airport; Hotels near (SJC) Mineta San Jose Intl Airport; Hotels near (OAK) Metropolitan Oakland Intl Airport; All things to do in Sunol Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. The friendly black dog held his office from 1981, until his dying day in 1994. Though no animal (or human) filled the vacancy, Sunol wasn't ready to forget their leader -- though the town is split on the degree of reverence required. Bosco was elected to that honorary title of the small, unincorporated town in 1981. He treats his two minions, Thunder & Lightning badly. In his role as Mayor he led the annual Halloween parade, attended Sunol events and gatherings, and often showed up in his formal tuxedo at said events. (Sunol: George Lewis) "Bosco" the dog reported a famous in Sunol, California, resident because he is honorary mayor; details given of Bosco's election. Hotels near Boscoe The Dog Mayor; Hotels near Sunol Regional Wilderness; Hotels near Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park; Hotels near Little Brown Church of Sunol; Near Airports. Bosco, a Labrador-Rottweiler mix, served 13 years as the mayor of Sunol. Her bronze of Bosco features his signature kerchief and lolling tongue, ready for a treat or a good luck rub. The dog mayor was often seen roaming around the town while hanging out with the local people and visitors. Return to What Happens When a Town Votes For a Dog or Cat to Be Mayor? Bosco would wander the town, frequenting the Sunol Lounge and Lyonâs Brewery Depot. The golden retriever, whose full name is Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II, has been mayor of the Southern California town since 2014. In 1981, in an election hatched by locals as a joke, Bosco Ramos ran against two human candidates for the mayoral slot, and beat both. It was a moment of action. A restaurant calling itself Bosco's Bones and Brew opened in 1999 featuring a specially engineered, Bosco-like stuffed dead dog behind the bar. Between official functions, the mayor had "free run of the town," and apparently had a plan to increase his constituency. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! He was "a symbol of democracy and freedom," said Sunol resident Solveig Shearer. Bosco Ramos has been dead since 1994, but Sunol, California still misses their dog mayor. In 1981, three candidates ran for the position of âhonorary mayor,â which had no real political responsibilities besides leading a town parade. The Dog Mayor saw Sunol through the big fire of December 1987, when downtown essentially incinerated. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. anime television series Bosco grape Bosco Chocolate Syrup Bosco the dog, a dog elected honorary mayor of Sunol, California BOSCO - Uganda, a non - profit intern This charming pup is meant to celebrate the youth and stubbornness of the city's students. Bosco Ramos was a black Labrador/Rottweiler mix. How a Blacksmith in Jordan Created His Own Sign Language, In Naples, Praying With Skulls Is an Ancient Tradition, Inside a Domed Pyramid With Astounding Acoustics and a History of Miracles, See the Mysterious Horned Helmet of Henry VIII, Searching for Home and Connection Through Typewritten Poetry, http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/19948, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosco_the_dog. All rights reserved. Image Credit: WeirdCA From 1981 until his death in 1994, a black Labrador-Rottweiler mix named Bosco the dog served as mayor of Sunol, California. He became known as America's first dog mayor. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Your email address will not be published. Bosco the Dog Mayor was a Black Labrador/Rottweiler mix who, believe it or not, was elected Mayor of Sunol California in 1981. Bosco's Bones & Brew is under new ownership, but the dog is still tapped and sampled daily. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in California. Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. December 19, 2008: The official unveiling and dedication of a bronze statue of the dog who became mayor was enough to draw us to Sunol on a late Friday afternoon. Bosco the dog, a black Labrador-Rottweiler mix, was elected mayor of Sunol, California (1981â1994). But many small towns in America have elected dogs as their mayors. California, San Francisco, Minnesota, Colorado and Kentucky have all had dog mayors. A more loving tribute was unveiled on December 19, 2008, a bronze statue of Bosco next to the post office, under the town clock. Also see: Mascots | Roadside Pet Cemetery. Don Bosco, with a well-directed blow of the fist, sent the man sprawling. Youâve heard of politiciansâ dogs, but what about dog politicians? Definitely a place where the locals hang out. Gustonian Gifts / Facebook Bosco defeated two humans to win the 1981 election, running as a "re-pup-lican" with campaign promises including: "a bone in every dish, a cat in every tree, and a fire hydrant in every corner," the Mercury News reported. 1983 and served until his death in 1994 bosco was elected mayor of 's... Also very arroga⦠RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions, mayor of,... Visit our cookie policy was often seen roaming around the town, '' and apparently had a to... 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Silent era preserves and pays homage to a memorial to the use of this technology while browsing site... Office from 1981, until his dying day in 1994 while hanging out with the local,! Virginia ( Dec 7-13, 2020 ) Copyright 1996-2020 Doug Kirby, Smith..., and could often be seen at Sunol events and social gatherings in his formal tuxedo was! Out two humans in a stately tuxedo and helped lead the townâs favorite mayor in front of the authors is. Mayor of Sunol, California, San Francisco 's waters us on to!