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Our program quality team travels all over Minnesota for classroom observations...and a little sightseeing
Our program quality team conducts classroom observations in preschool programs throughout Minnesota. En route, they enjoy stopping by roadside attractions that add a quirky flair to many of our state’s small towns. Here are a few of our team’s favorites--many of them the “world’s largest” of their kind!
Ear of corn, Olivia, MN
How big is it? The world’s largest ear of corn stands 25 feet tall and is mounted on top of a gazebo, meaning that it towers 50 feet above the ground.
When was it made? 1973. The Corn Monument was created to celebrate the town’s central role in modern corn production.
Fun fact: Olivia is known as the Corn Capital of the World.
Otto the Otter, Fergus Falls, MN
How big is it? The world’s largest otter stands 15 feet tall and is about 40 feet long.
When was it made? Otto was built in 1972 by high school students and their teacher, artist Steve Jaenisch.
Fun fact: Fergus Falls is the county seat of Otter Tail County.
World's largest prairie chicken
Photo by Jimmy Emerson, CC BY-NC_ND 2.0
Prairie chicken, Rothsay, MN
How big is it? The world’s largest prairie chicken is 13 feet high and 18 feet long.
When was it made? In 1975, Rothsay was named Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota. Rothsay resident Art Fosse created the statue in 1976.
Fun fact: Art Fosse’s son Paul was mayor of Rothsay for two decades.
Coot, Ashby, MN
How big is it? We couldn’t find any details online, so we will report back from the field next time we’re in Ashby. We’ll still go out on a limb and say that this is the world’s largest coot.
When was it made? The date when the coot was created is shrouded in mystery. What we can tell you is that a local conservation organization, Coots Unlimited (formerly the Ashby Sportsmen Club), had this unique landmark created.
Fun fact: Species of coot are found all over the world. Despite a common misconception, coots are not ducks. They are not even closely related!
Ball of twine, Darwin, MN
How big is it? 12 feet high and 40 feet in diameter, the twine ball weighs 17,400 pounds. The original (and best) giant ball of twine, it is still the world’s largest.
When was it made? Darwin resident and collector Francis Johnson made the twine ball between 1950 and 1979.
Fun fact: After Johnson’s death in 1989, Ripley’s Believe It or Not wanted to buy the ball of twine. His relatives turned them down but sold them Johnson’s collection of 1,700 nail aprons as a consolation prize.
Loon, St Paul, MN
How big is it? 33 feet tall and 25 tons. It beats out the previous record-holder for largest loon in Vargas, MN,by 13 feet.
When was it made? The loon is a recent addition to Minnesota’s collection of “largest” things: Scottish sculptor Andy Scott completed the piece in 2024.
Fun fact: The sculpture sits near Allianz Field, the soccer stadium that is home to Minnesota United Football Club (“the Loons”).
Floating loon, Virginia, MN
How big is it? The state capitol may boast the largest loon, but Virginia lays claim to the world’s largest floating loon at 20 feet long.
When was it made? The loon was constructed in 1982 to replace a smaller version built in 1979.
Fun fact: Virginia also boasts a 16-foot-high eagle statue, part of the Iron Range Veterans’ Memorial.
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, Bemidji, MN
How big are they? Paul Bunyan–who was born in Bemidji according to legend–is 18 feet tall and Babe is 10 feet tall.
When were they made? These larger-than-life companions were built in 1937, making them the grandfather (and grand-ox) of all Minnesota’s towering roadside sculptures.
Fun fact: Bemidji Rotarians commissioned the two statues for Bemidji’s third winter carnival, basing Paul on Mayor Earl Bucklen and Babe on a real local ox.
What did we miss? Email us your favorite quirky Minnesota landmark at ceed@umn.edu or let us know on Facebook! Can't wait for your next road trip? Check out this crowdsourced photo album of Minnesota Marvels!