World's Largest Buffalo
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The "World's Largest Buffalo" is a sculpture of an American Bison located in Jamestown, North Dakota at the Frontier Village. It was built in 1959 by local businessman Harold Newman. It can be seen from Interstate 94, overlooking the city from above the James River valley.
The statue is a significant tourist draw for Jamestown and the source of its nickname, The Buffalo City. It is 26 feet (7.9 m) tall, 46 feet (14 m) long and weighs 60 tons. It was constructed with stucco and cement around a steel beam frame shaped with wire mesh. The final cost of construction was approximately $8500 in 1969; a significant overrun from initial estimates closer to $4600. The concrete slab that lies under the sculpture was added later and was not included in the initial cost.
The sculpture is complete in many respects of detail. It is sculptured after a male bison in mid-stride and is anatomically correct.
In June of 2007, the city of Jamestown received a grant of $16,500 from Hampton Hotels' Save-A-Landmark programto refurbish the buffalo. The money was used to repaint the buffalo to look more life-like and to enlarge the horns. The renovation oversight was done by original designer Elmer Peterson.
Jamestown's tourism board has plans to turn the sculpture into the world’s largest Chia Pet, nicknamed the "Chiaffalo", during the summer of 2008.[1][2]
The World's Largest Buffalo is a 26-foot-high, 60-ton sculpture of an American Bison located in Jamestown, North Dakota, at the Frontier Village tourist attraction. It was the brainchild of local businessman Harold Newman and the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce. The sculpture was designed and completed in 1959 by artist Elmer Petersen.
The statue is a significant tourist draw for Jamestown and is also the source of its nickname, The Buffalo City. It was constructed with stucco and cement around a steel beam frame shaped with wire mesh. The final cost of construction was approximately $8,500 in 1959, a significant overrun from initial estimates closer to $4,600. The concrete slab that lies under the sculpture was added later and was not included in the initial cost.
The sculpture is complete in many respects of detail. It is sculptured after a male bison in mid-stride and is anatomically correct.
In June of 2007, the city of Jamestown received a grant of $16,500 from Hampton Hotels' Save-A-Landmark program to refurbish the buffalo. The money was used to repair the buffalo's concrete hide, repaint him to look more lifelike and to enlarge the horns. The renovation was overseen by original designer and sculptor Elmer Petersen.
[edit] References
- ^ Telephone inquiry, The Arts Center of Jamestown, 1 December 2006.
- ^ Website, Chiaffalo.com World's Largest Chia Pet Project
