So apparently there was an 150 foot tall hotel built to look like a giant elephant in Coney Island, named the "Elephantine Colossus".
The elephant burned down in 1896. Fortunately it was abandoned at the time. This resulted in the greatest news illustration I have ever seen (pictured).
It was also at one point a giant elephant shaped brothel.
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephantine_Colossus#Rooms_and_attractions )
