NEW SALEM, ND ( KXNET ) — For almost half of a century, “Salem Sue,” the World’s largest Holstein cow sculpture, has stood as a lasting symbol of a town that was once a hub within the state’s dairy industry.

At 38 feet high, the fiberglass sculpture stands tall over a hillside just west of New Salem and is clearly visible to the millions of travelers who have seen it over the past five decades driving past the town on I-94.

Marvin Klusmann is a retired Dairyman who says Salem Sue stands as a lasting symbol of a town that was once supported by over two dozen dairies and creameries.

Klusmann’s family has been milking cows on their farm near New Salem for five generations.

“New Salem was settled in the late 1800s, like my farm, [was] in1887, and it was a dairy farm from the beginning,” noted Klusmann.

In the early 1970’s, farmers, businessmen, and residents of New Salem wanted to erect a sculpture that would represent their town’s rich dairy legacy.

“One of the bankers was impressed with the amount of receipts that came into New Salem from the dairy because everybody mostly milked cows, and so he put some money in and decided we should build a cow,” said Klusmann.

With the help of the New Salem Lions Club, the community of New Salem was able to raise around $40,000 in donations from residents, area farmers, and local businessmen to pay for the design and construction of Salem Sue.

Klusmann’s friend, Allan Tellmann was a senior in high school when Salem Sue was put up on the hill in 1974, and Tellmann says at the time, he didn’t think his town needed to spend money on a huge cow statue.

“We didn’t think it was a good idea. We thought they could put something out there for kids, rather than for a cow. But, I think the teen center and bowling alley would have been long gone, so they made the right decision,” expressed Tellmann.

Designed by sculptor, Dave Oswald, the 12,000-pound sculpture is made primarily of fiberglass and the legs of the cow are weighted down with cement. Tellmann says the sculpture does have to be maintained, “We clean it up and paint it. They wash it off with acid and give her a fresh coat of paint about once every six or seven years.”

Although most of the local dairies are now gone, Salem Sue has stood through many harsh North Dakota winters and Tellman says she stands as a lasting symbol of a resilient town on the prairie.

“Originally she represented the dairy farmer and the dairy industry. Of course, that’s not around much anymore, but I think she represents the strength of our community,” expressed Tellmann.

Tellman adds that the New Salem Lion’s Club is sponsoring a photo contest to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Salem Sue sculpture.

To find out more about the contest and interesting facts about the history of Salem Sue, you can visit this website .

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