"Created by sculptor Elmer Petersen, he has proven one of the Midwest’s most popular roadside attractions for over 50 years. In 2010, the World’s Largest Buffalo received his name, Dakota Thunder. The monument was fashioned using a wire mesh framed from steel beaming and a reinforcing rod, then covered with gunnite – a type of sprayed cement," the Discover Jamestown North Dakota says.

"Dakota Thunder weighs about as much as five average-sized African Elephants, or 30 average-sized automobiles! Construction costs to build the giant monument were $8,500, the equivalent of $70,000 today.

"For fifty years after his creation, the World’s Largest Buffalo had no official name. He was finally christened Dakota Thunder following a contest to name him in 2010, a contest that drew over 3,500 entries. Michael Shirek of Devil’s Lake, ND was the one to submit the winning name."

"Located at the end of Louis L'Amour Lane, the World's Largest Buffalo Monument stands tall on the hill in Jamestown, ND. This 26-foot-tall, 60-ton concrete giant has been standing watch over Jamestown since 1959," the North Dakota Tourism says.

"Created by sculptor Elmer Petersen, he has proven one of the Midwest's most popular roadside attractions for over 50 years. In 2010, the World's Largest Buffalo received his name; Dakota Thunder.

"The National Buffalo Museum and live herd of Buffalo and the Frontier Village are also on site."

"The "World's Largest Buffalo Monument" is a sculpture of an American Bison located in Jamestown, North Dakota at the Frontier Village. It is visible 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.

"The sculpture is 26 feet (7.9 m) tall and 46 feet (14 m) long and weighs 60 short tons (54 t). It was constructed with stucco and cement around a steel beam frame shaped with wire mesh.[citation needed] The sculpture is complete in many respects of detail. It is sculptured after a male bison in mid-stride and is anatomically correct.

"The sculpture was commissioned in 1959 by local businessman Harold Newman, designed by Elmer Petersen, Jamestown College Art Professor and sculptor, and constructed under Peterson's supervision by professional construction workers and community members."  (Wikipedia)

"Elmer P. Peterson, an art teacher at Jamestown College, was hired to build the city's showstopper. The initial idea was for a giant shock of wheat, but it was rejected, and instead Peterson built a buffalo out of concrete slathered over a steel framework," the Roadside America says.

"By the time he was finished in mid-September 1959, the buffalo was 46 feet long, weighed 60 tons, and most important of all, 26 feet tall, the same size as Brainerd's Bunyan. Peterson was paid $800 for his work.

"In 2010, after more than 50 years of nameless fame, the buffalo was officially christened "Dakota Thunder." Surrounding the buffalo are the Frontier Village and National Buffalo Museum, which has a herd of live bison, which for a time included the rare albino "White Cloud."

"This thing is big. It stands 26 feet tall, 46 feet long, 14 feet wide, and weighs about 60 tons. At that size, yes, you can see it from the highway. If you’re driving from the east, you’ll be greeted with the sight of its backside," the Quirqy Travel guy says.

"The buffalo was created using steel beams and reinforced rod. That was covered by a wire mesh to help shape the form. It was finally coated in gunite, a form of sprayed concrete, and then painted to create its permanent appearance.

"The buffalo monument was created in 1959 by sculptor Elmer Petersen, who also happened to be an art instructor at Jamestown College (now the University of Jamestown.) The cost at the time was $8,500, which is equivalent to more than $86,000 in today’s dollars. Petersen was personally paid $800."

"Physically, sculptor Elmer Petersen and his crew built the World's Largest Buffalo 60 years ago this summer. What they also created is a symbol that became synonymous with Jamestown, according to Serle Swedlund, executive director of Jamestown Tourism," the Jamestown Sun says.



""it kept Jamestown on the map in a way it would have never could have done otherwise," he said. "No other community has created an identity like Jamestown as the Buffalo City."

"The buffalo identity has also been adopted by businesses in the community, according to Emily Bivens, executive director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce."

"The World’s Largest Buffalo Monument in Jamestown, North Dakota, is a must-see road trip stop for any roadside attraction lover! At 26 feet tall, 46 feet long, and weighing in at 60 tons, this big bison is certainly a site to behold!" the Silly America says.

"The World’s Largest Buffalo is modeled after a male American bison… just on a slightly bigger scale (in fact, he is actually the size of about 60 male buffalo). And this anatomically correct bison is…well… all there.

"In 2010, to celebrate the North Dakota roadside attraction’s 50th birthday, a contest was held to name to previously unnamed concrete mammal. With around 3,500 entries submitted, a moniker was finally bestowed upon the colossal creature: Dakota Thunder. Today, a sign with his name hangs in front of the massive buffalo."

"Built in 1959 by Jamestown College art instructor Elmer Paul Peterson, the buffalo is made from gunnite—a type of sprayed cement—over 1/4 inch wire mesh framed with 8 inch steel beaming, and 3/8 inch reinforcing rod. The first giant roadside sculpture built in North Dakota it measures in at 46 feet long, 26 feet in height and cost some $8500 to make," the Atlas Obscura says.

"In 1965 a replica old west town named “Frontier Village,” was built next to it, and includes a grocery store, school house, church, jail house, wishing well, Midland and Northern Pacific caboose, mine shaft, printing shop, post office, fire department with three old fire trucks, train depot, log cabin, art salon, souvenir shop, and even a barber shop.

"To celebrate the sculpture’s 50th birthday, a contest was held in 2010 to name the buffalo. Dakota Thunder was the winning name. Nearby is a live herd of buffalo—including “White Cloud,” an extremely rare albino buffalo—and the National Buffalo Museum."

"Take a visit to one of North Dakota's essential roadside attractions, the National Buffalo Museum. The main part of this attraction is the "World's Largest Buffalo," a humongous statue that goes by the name Dakota Thunder," the Only In Your State says.



"The monument is truly massive and weighs many tons. It was completed in 1959 and has been standing tall over the city of Jamestown since then. While Dakota Thunder is pretty cool, there is so much more to this classic Americana attraction than the statue. The National Buffalo Museum is great for kids and adults alike and is loaded with things to see.

"Tons of artifacts from many years ago when the Native American tribes of North Dakota lived among and hunted bison are available to see on display. There is a lot of history to learn and all of it is fascinating."

"It is the home of the worlds largest buffalo which is a must see for any roadside attraction enthusiast. We spent about an hour for both things."

"Outstanding stop at this clean informative well organized museum. Great history of the Buffalo. Beautiful taxidermy pieces. Friendly staff. Walk out to giant Buffalo very worth it!"

"Nice museum. You can see the giant Buffalo as well as the live Buffalo in the field just behind the museum. Great way to get a good look at them safely."

"The huge bison is a must see! Stop and look inside the old buildings through the window and visit the museum. The short movie inside was very informative."

"Some one built a 60 ton bison out of cement! World's largest! Right there in Jamestown! Cute mock-up of a western town to walk through on your way to see the beast!"

"Very interesting museum. Good info. The giant buffalo was fun. We could see a handful of buffalo from the deck. Kid friendly."