JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The World’s Largest Buffalo has begun showing signs of its age.
Built and designed by Elmer Peterson in 1959, “Dakota Thunder” has continued to be one of the most popular attractions for the past 60 years. Sadly, it appears that the monument’s age is catching up with it.
On Saturday, Dave Klein found that the buffalo may have possibly been vandalized.
While the actual cause of the debris found at the site is unknown, Jamestown Tourism Executive Director Searle Swedlund thinks age is the reason for the hole that’s formed on the chin of the monument.
“Dakota Thunder” underwent renovations in 2016 and received what would be the final coat of paint. Swedlund pointed out then that they would need to start fundraising to overhaul the iconic statue.
Last year, Tourism started their “Feed the Buffalo” campaign to raise money and refurbish the sculpture. Tourism believed they would have about 10 years to raise the money, but now with the current state of the monument, something may need to be done a lot sooner.
It’s estimated costs could be upwards of $50,000 to $100,000.
Photos below courtesy of Dave Klein
