JAMESTOWN, ND ( KXNET ) — In our previous travel column , we discussed the importance of history to Stutsman County, and witnessed it come alive in the modern day through Jamestown’s Frontier Village and the various museums scattered about the city. However, as anyone who’s visited the city before knows, this love of history and stories of endurance does not only pertain to its human residents.

The tale of the North American Bison is one of both great sorrow and great triumph: while they were once plentiful in the open plains and badlands of the United States, a surge in hunters and those who would kill for sport drastically reduced their numbers. For a time, bison were in danger of going extinct due to this boom in the meat, fur, and entertainment trades — but after the intervention of a large group of concerned citizens, the species has been protected and nurtured to the point where bison are once again surviving and thriving.

A majority of this initial conservation took place in and around North Dakota, and specifically Jamestown. As such, it only stands to reason that the city would play host to a large culture focused around the animal, and one that continues to capture the eyes of badlands tourists to this day.

Over time, Jamestown’s reputation as America’s “Buffalo City” has grown to tremendous proportions — and between open exhibits, bison burgers, and a certain statue, it’s safe to say that the area has embraced this designation with open arms. In the second part of this One-Day ND Destinations special, we’ll be taking a closer look at the history of the animal that gave the area its fame, as well as everything it does to honor this majestic species.

The North American Bison Discovery Center

The story of the Discovery Center began in 1991, when several Jamestown leaders (including many bison ranchers) formed the North Dakota Buffalo Foundation — a group dedicated to telling the story of the bison throughout the United States. At around the same time, the National Buffalo Foundation in Pierre, SD was searching for a place to display their historic collection of artifacts and art related to the buffalo trade. Naturally, the two groups formed a connection, and by 1993, Jamestown opened the National Buffalo Museum to the public. As decades have passed, the museum has grown and added new features, while retaining the focus on buffalo that makes it so unique. And ironically, part of the building’s uniqueness comes from a recent name change.

Originally, the National Buffalo Museum was referred to as such because the term “buffalo” was more well-known in American culture — but in recent times, scientists and conservationists alike have instead opted to use the term “bison” to differentiate the species from the likes of water or cape buffalo. This came to a head in 2024, when the building changed its name to the North American Bison Discovery Center.

The switch, the center’s website states, “reflects the museum’s commitment to showcasing the significance and majesty of the bison, while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of this iconic species in North America.” However, it is important to note that the interior of the structure still tells the same important story of one of the US’s most iconic animals — and one that is very well-received by tourists from all over the country and beyond.

“On average,” explains the Discovery Center’s Advancement Coordinator Kerrie Baiz, “20,000 visitors come through the museum each year. The North American Bison Discovery Center recently participated in the 2024 Annual Survey of Museum Goers. We are thrilled to learn through this statistic that many of our visitors are interested in learning about bison.”

After watching an introductory video about the history of buffalo, visitors begin their journey through the museum by viewing the remains of early members of the bison family of animals, including the skulls of some of their first ancestors.

Exhibits further into the museum showcase hunting gear and various goods created from parts of the buffalo in both older and more modern times. A small section is also dedicated to how the animal is used as a symbol of strength and endurance in advertising.

Other sections of the museum, meanwhile, feature works of art in many mediums. Of particular note among these pieces are the massive collections of buffalo sketches made by Wes Olson (an author and artist from Saskatchewan) and watercolor paintings from George Catlin (known for his paintings of Native Americans during the 1930s).

Paintings and sketches are prevalent throughout every area of the museum (including the children’s play section), but sculptures and pottery are also crucial parts of the building’s impressive art collection. One particularly interesting exhibit comes in the form of a contemporary art piece created after an encounter with a rare white buffalo and calf in the 1980s.

There are always those who would rather touch than look, however — and thankfully for them, the center also features a wide array of interactive displays for guests to get their hands on, even outside of the designated children’s play area. In addition to screens that offer hands-on lessons and games, the largest section of the building houses a display featuring real buffalo bones and pelts that can be picked up and held. A dissectable model nearby, meanwhile, allows visitors to learn about the anatomy of a bison in a fun (if somewhat gruesome) way.

The highlight of these exhibits, to many, is the number of taxidermied specimens on display. In addition to stuffed versions of some of the rare predators strong and clever enough to take on a bison, the museum also showcases bison calves, a full-grown specimen, and the remains of White Cloud — an albino bison who once lived in the area. Interestingly one of the bison preserved here comes directly from the city’s own population.

“Our museum gallery is the permanent home to one of our former herd sires,” Baiz explains. “Bull #9 was one of our herd bulls for many years. Fortunately, we were able to field harvest him, donate his meat to area food banks, and preserve his body through a taxidermy mount. Museum visitors can learn about him and see images of some of his offspring.”

Following this selection of animals and information, the museum ends with a brief look at what the future of buffalo may entail before depositing guests back near the front in the gift shop. Here, they can remember their visit to Jamestown with a massive variety of souvenirs such as clothes, jewelry, books, and even buffalo meat.

“The American bison is not only a keystone species of the prairie ecosystem,” concludes Baiz, “but the largest land mammal native to North America. This majestic creature is deeply connected to the land and it inhabits and is significant to many indigenous cultures. There are many voices and perspectives relating to the importance of the past, present, and future of the bison and we provide a space for those voices to be shared. It is our hope that we will inspire new learning about bison with each and every visit.”

Buffalo Hall of Fame

Located in the back of the museum, the Buffalo Hall of Fame is a brief showcase of every historical individual who has played a major part in supporting bison conservation — including Theodore Roosevelt, and William T. Hornaday, the founders of the American Bison Society — as well as modern honorees such as Armando “Bud” Flocchini Jr. (who led the merge between the American Bison and National Buffalo Associates) and Ted Turner (the owner of multiple Turner Ranches and a purveyor of bison meat at his Ted’s Montana Grill restaurants). This area also includes a small section where guests can write their own ideas on bison protection, to help encourage them to follow in the footsteps of these herd heroes.

Live Herd

It would be somewhat strange for Jamestown to place such a focus on the growing buffalo population without featuring live examples — and luckily for those hoping to see the animals themselves in action, the area is home to a protected herd of live bison (the first of which were imported from Theodore Roosevelt National Park) that can be viewed both from the highway and a large section of space near the Discovery Center.

For those who may have been unable to see the herd from this angle, however, another wider view can be found in the museum itself on an observation deck next to the Buffalo Hall of Fame. From here, guests can use a series of viewing stations to spot bison, while enjoying the fair summer weather in the process.

“The American bison was named the national mammal of the United States on May 9, 2016,” says Baiz. “This majestic animal joins the ranks of the Bald Eagle as the official symbol of our country—and much like the eagle, they’re a symbol of our American identity and one of the greatest conservation success stories of all time.  Those who participate in observation of the herd enjoy the distinctive educational experience of showcasing a herd in an engaging, small, natural setting.”

Dakota Thunder

It would be wrong to discuss anything to do with bison in Jamestown without mentioning its most famous attraction: Dakota Thunder, otherwise known as the World’s Largest Buffalo. Located on an overlook at the end of Frontier Village, this towering sculpture is a hallmark of North Dakota tourism in the vein of Salem Sue or the Wahpeton Whopper, and a fitting mascot for the Discovery Center and Jamestown as a whole.

Originally commissioned in 1959 by a local business, the bison was designed by Jamestown College professor Elmer Petersen. The design, constructed by a team of professional construction workers and community members, consists of wire mesh framed from steel beams and combined with sprayed cement. The end result of this project is a creature that is 26 feet tall, 46 feet wide, and weighs a massive 54 tons, making it an incredibly iconic Midwestern monument. Outside of one brief renovation in 2007 (where Petersen himself oversaw the enlargement of its horns and a repainting), very little has been done to alter the buffalo in any way, making its iconic appearance one that has withstood the tests of time and weather extremely well.

Intriguingly, despite such a long and storied history, the statue did not receive the name Dakota Thunder until 50 years after its creation — when a 2010 contest to determine what it should be called took place. After 3,565 different possible suggestions were voted on by a panel of judges (including popular choices like Sir James, Beauford, and Dakotah Spirit), the winner was determined to be Dakota Thunder, which remains the bison’s name to this day. The name itself was the brainchild of Mandan resident Michael Shirek, who was ironically also the first to submit a name after hearing about the contest on his way to work. According to a report from the Grand Forks Herald, Shirek (who was awarded $1,000 for his victory) chose the name because it “evokes the spirit of the land and the people of the Northern Great Plains,” and that “the name Thunder conjures the sound and feel of a herd of bison loose and unfenced on the plains.”

Generally, this image of a stampeding group is somewhat lessened by the fact that Dakota Thunder is entirely static — but visitors can still experience the message at the overlook by looking at the vast area observable from his location, including Jamestown’s more urban section, the James River valley, and a different view of the museum’s live buffalo herd.

The Discovery Center is not just a place where one can learn about bison themselves — it tells a true tale of rescue and restoration. Throughout its many exhibits, one can see how a once-glorious species was reduced to near extinction, but eventually returned after organizations from across America banded together to keep it alive. The continued existence of the buffalo population in itself serves as a testament to the power America has when it unites to face a common concern — which makes Jamestown’s more natural side an incredibly thematic place to highlight on the same week as Independence Day.

However, even outside of the holiday weekend, Jamestown itself is well worth a day trip. Between the historic structures in the main city and the fascinating attractions outside of it, there is something for almost everyone to enjoy — making it a perfect One-Day Destination for the whole family.

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