When Margaret Dismukes Massad was a little girl, she lived in the only house on the street with a dinosaur in the backyard.

Her father, Glenn Dismukes, founded Peter Pan Mini-Golf in 1948 with his two brothers, Jack and Clifford Dismukes. Glenn's handiwork is behind many of the business’ most iconic sculptures, including Peter Pan, the whale, the clown, and, of course, Trex the T-Rex.

Trex has been poking his head out from between the treetops on Barton Springs Road for several decades now. During that time, his home has remained largely — remarkably — unchanged.

We spoke with Margaret, who now runs the mini golf course with her husband, Julio Massad, about what she cherishes most about the Austin staple.

Peter Pan has had quite the glow-up since he was first created. | Photo provided by Margaret Dismukes

The origin story

Glenn Dismukes started working on the sculptures for his mini golf course — at first called Varsity Links, but later renamed — a few years after he opened it. He wasn’t an artist by trade, but even so, his pieces became staples at Peter Pan and remain standing today.

“He did it kind of as a hobby,” Margaret said. “The sculptures came over time, many of them in the 50s and 60s.”

Before you ask: yes, Peter Pan does look an awful lot like the Jolly Green Giant.

Margaret said her father modeled many of his works in clay before sculpting them, and Peter Pan was in fact modeled after the image on a can of vegetables.

Glenn’s sculptures are lovingly kept in shape today by a local sculptor named Cheryl Latimer. Latimer, who has also added a few of her own works to the Peter Pan course, maintains them and occasionally repaints them with new, modern designs.

Trex the T-Rex recieved the most recent update, as his new 'fit was completed just a few weeks ago. | Photo provided by Margaret Dismukes

Hosting date nights since ‘48

Because it’s been around so long, Peter Pan Mini-Golf has been a part of Austin families over multiple generations, Margaret said. She’s seen parents bring their children for birthday parties almost identical to parties they themselves attended as kids.

It’s also one of Austin’s oldest date night spots — Peter Pan has seen many a love blossom amid its castles and clowns.

The course has hosted engagement photo shoots, bachelor + bachelorette parties, and wedding celebrations, Margaret said. Some couples come every year for their anniversary — and she’s even seen a few proposals take place.

“We’ve had a ton of engagement rings hidden in all kinds of places,” she said. “One was by Peter Pan, because Peter Pan is on one knee.”

This statue was first inspired by a nursery rhyme, but has since been modernized to look like a Converse All-Star. | Photo provided by Margaret Dismukes Massad

Peter Pan today

There have been very few changes to Peter Pan Mini-Golf over the years. In fact, the only substantial change Margaret could think of was the addition of credit card machines, which were added at the start of the pandemic so people could do touchless transactions.

“I think that’s what people love about it. It just doesn’t change,” she said. “Other than some new coats of paint, it’s basically the same.”

Peter Pan has been continuously owned by the Dismukes family for 70+ years. Margaret, who took over from her brother as operator of the business just a few years ago, plans to keep it that way.

“People just really have a sentimental attachment to those things that are part of old Austin, because yeah, it’s barely recognizable anymore,” she said. “So we’re hanging on, we’re not going anywhere.”'

Keep scrolling to see more then-and-now photos of Peter Pan Mini-Golf.

This pig's new look is much flashier than his old-school style. | Photo provided by Margaret Dismukes Massad

Signs may change, but Peter Pan Mini Golf is still a hot spot for birthday parties. | Photo provided by Margaret Dismukes Massad

This castle appears to have grown a little whimsy since it was first created. | Photo provided by Margaret Dismukes Massad

This man appears to have changed occupations in the last few decades. | Photo provided by Margaret Dismukes Massad

The dog statue has been updated with a fresh purple spotted coat. | Photo provided by Margaret Dismukes Massad

The view of Peter Pan Mini Golf from Barton Springs Road is largely unchanged. | Photo provided by Margaret Dismukes Massad