Dakota Thunder the World's Largest Buffalo | Jamestown, ND
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Did you know that there’s a club dedicated to folks who save North Dakota for their last of the 50 states to visit? Started by the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center, the Best for Last Club has welcomed more than 7,300 travelers of all ages into its fold. Unfortunately, I learned about this illustrious honor while visiting the state for the first time in 2017 (when I most certainly had not been to every other state yet).
Even so, every time I go back to North Dakota, I’m amazed that so many people have left it for last on their to-visit lists. From beautiful natural areas to great food to a true appreciation for roadside oddities, this state has so much to offer, including one of my favorite massive mammals.
Meet Dakota Thunder the World’s Largest Buffalo from Jamestown, North Dakota.
Fast Facts
Built: 1959
Height: 26 feet tall
Length: 46 feet long
Weight: 60 tons
Fun Fact: Dakota Thunder weighs as much as five average-sized African Elephants or 30 average-sized cars.
The History of the World’s Largest Buffalo
In 1957, the North Dakota community of Jamestown celebrated its 75th anniversary. A year later, the first segment of Interstate 94 reached the community. Despite the town’s celebrations, they had some extra funds to spend and local businessman Harold Newman believed that the town should “create something so big and magnificent that passersby would have to stop in the city.”1
It’s said that Newman was impressed by the giant talking Paul Bunyan at Brainerd, Minnesota’s famed Paul Bunyan Land and wanted something just as grand for his hometown. Originally, someone had an idea to create a giant shock of wheat, but the proposal was ultimately shot down.
So, in 1959, Jamestown College art professor Elmer Petersen was commissioned to create the World’s Largest Buffalo. The big bison was made from stucco and cement covering a steel and wire mesh frame. At the time, it cost $8,500 to construct the giant monument, the equivalent of $70,000 today.
While the big buffalo has been renovated and repainted over the years, it remained nameless for much of its history. It wasn’t until 2010 that he received the name “Dakota Thunder.” After receiving more than 3,500 entries to an official naming contest, the name submitted by Michael Shirek of Devil’s Lake, North Dakota was deemed the winner.
Over the years, Dakota Thunder has become kind of a big deal — literally. So much so that his hometown of Jamestown has even garnered the nickname, the Buffalo City.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you have time for a quick detour or an afternoon to spend exploring Jamestown, seeing Dakota Thunder should be a must on any North Dakota road trip. The World’s Largest Buffalo is located inside Jamestown’s Frontier Village, which also includes the North American Bison Discovery Center.
Admission is free and Dakota Thunder is accessible even when the center is closed.
Keep an eye out for this big buffalo as you approach. With his placement atop the hill, you can easily see Dakota Thunder driving along I-94.
Address: Dakota Thunder, Frontier Village, 404 Louis Lamour Ln, Jamestown, ND 58401
Related Links
North Dakota is full of fun, oversized attractions. If you’re in the area, don’t miss another I-94 icon: Salem Sue the World’s Largest Holstein Cow.
I’m not sure where Roadside America grabbed this historic quote from, but I trust their roadside attraction authority.