Audubon in Audubon County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Albert — the World's Largest Bull

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 30, 2021

1. Albert — the World's Largest Bull Marker

Inscription.

Albert — the World's Largest Bull. . Albert’s History. Here in the heart of T-bone country, famed for its livestock production, Albert stands as a gigantic tribute to the nation’s beef industry. , Albert is 30 feet tall and weighs 45 tons (90,000 pounds). He is 33 feet long and has a horn span of 15 feet. It took 65 gallons of paint to cover Albert. Albert is about 9 times the normal size of a Hereford and authentically painted, right down to his toenails. , It took two years to build Albert, a product of the imagination of Donald C. Olesen, a member of the Audubon Junior Chamber of Commerce, or "Jaycees". This group had a dream… they wanted to build the largest bull in the world to salute the cattle industry that played a vital role in the economic progress of this community. , There were few major tourist attractions in western Iowa in 1963 when this project began, and the Jaycees were convinced that Albert would bring more travelers to this part of the state. And they were right; over 20,000 people stop to see Albert every year! , The City of Audubon donated land on the south edge of town for the construction of the giant statue. When the statue was completed, the Jaycees gave the property back to the city, which operates the facility as “The Albert the Bull Park.” , It was decided to make Albert a Hereford bull mainly because Herefords are more colorful than other beef cattle. The American Hereford Association and its Iowa officers pledged cash and technical assistance to the project. A local manufacturer helped with construction; however, most of the hard labor was provided by the Jaycees themselves. , The completed statue was dedicated on October 31, 1964 to coincide with Audubon’s 14th annual Operation T-bone. This event consisted of sending a trainload (actually around 50 carloads) of prime Audubon County beef to Chicago markets. The event did much to promote the beef industry in Iowa and drew worldwide attention to this Audubon County town of 3,000. Operation T-bone was started at the suggestion of Albert Kruse, an Audubon banker. Because he created the idea, the statue was named in his honor. , Albert has other claims to fame. He can be seen in a Hollywood film called “Beethoven’s 3rd.” He has been featured in several national magazines including Home and Away and Midwest Living. His location was even a question on the TV game show “Jeopardy.” , [photo captions] 1. Construction began in 1963. The concrete pad on which Albert stood was the first step toward the Audubon Jaycees’ monument to the beef industry. In 1999 the base was rebuilt. , 2. The interior framework of Albert consists of many sections similar to the one shown here. The quarter-inch steel rod sections were put together as you’d build a model airplane., 3. This view shows the rectangular I-beam structure which serves as the main interior support, or “skeleton,” of the 45-ton monument. Note how the steel-rod framework was fitted to the I-beam structure., 4. The final step in building Albert’s framework was the connection of his head using a huge crane. The head was one of four major sections fitted to the I-beams. , 5. Albert’s “hide” consists of several coats of concrete. The first coat was applied by trowels to a wire mesh that covered the steel rod framework. The second and third coats were applied with a hose, giving Albert a “hair-like” texture. , 6. This shows the statue shortly before it was painted in 1964 with the red and white colors of the Hereford breed. Albert received a new coat of paint in 2003. , Ode to Albert the Bull Dedicated to Albert A. Kruse, in whose honor the statue was named., Here in the heart of T-Bone country Albert stands upon his throne The largest bull in all the world Steel and concrete his muscle and bone. , He weighs 45 tons And stands thirty feet tall With a twelve foot horn span And that isn't all. , There's a far greater story than cement and steel It's the story of people and how they feel; How they work together when the chips are down To build a new future for their home town., While others sought to bring new industry in, Al Kruse had a vision just where to begin; "This is beef country", he said, "let us build on that , To the cattle feeder, I tip my hat!" , So in 1951 people assessed what they had, Decided living in Iowa wasn't so bad , Bursting with pride they had to blow their horn And thus Operation T-bone that year was born. , A banquet was held to kick-off the event , People talked of the T-Bone wherever they went. The railroad brought stock cars to load up the cattle, While farmers and businessmen mingled their prattle., A big parade and a beef barbecue Brought people to town for the first big do , A program and prizes for those who took part Gave a boost to the spirit and warmed every heart., To watch fifty stock cars of cattle pull out of sight Was a might big spectacle that first Saturday night. And the town that was watching gave a sigh of relief, There was rejuvenation in that trainload of beef! , Accompanying the special train to Chicago Were three Pullman coaches with men as their cargo , With fifty-two shippers were a choice group of friends , The mayor, Sam Ross, and thirty businessmen. , From Audubon to Chicago, the story was told Of how Iowa farmers turn corn into gold With prime beef for the Nation , the words printed plain In large blazoned letters attached to that train! , KMA Shenandoah, sent a broadcaster, too, To bring back transcriptions of each interview , Newspaper men found it big news indeed While this Operation T-Bone was off to full speed! , Audubon's First State Bank with its stalwart Al Kruse Sponsored the project and served as the fuse To make all the connections, both at stockyards and hotel Plus a dinner for shippers who brought cattle to sell. , The stockyards on Monday were booming with sales When two million pounds of beef went over the scales; The largest single shipment ever to come from this section Gave joy to cattle feeders who sensed new direction. , Back home the enthusiasm continued to grow And the hometown fervor began to show; The Chamber of Commerce made one thing clear There would be an Operation T-Bone every year. , In 1963 when the Jaycees were chartered A brand new project for the town was started , One man, Donald C. Olesen, dared to scheme, Thus he told fellow members a most marvelous dream. , As a gigantic tribute to the Beef Industry And a tourist attraction for people to see; He suggested they might all in unison pull And build of concrete, one ALBERT THE BULL! , The proud Jaycees made one stipulation No local fund raising from solicitation. So a great many projects were put on by the men Before they had cash enough to begin. , Unsolicited support and encouragement grew From various firms, individuals too; The City gave some land at the south edge of town; County Supervisors dumped dirt to level the ground. , With a reservoir of talent and long arduous labors They set out at once to collect gifts from their neighbors , Old iron from windmills and cast-off machines Plus greenbacks from purses, and pockets of jeans. , Two presidents served during this great undertaking For Albert the Bull was two years in the making; First, Franklin Jorgensen put the show on the road, Then Dr. Jed Norris took over the load. , Emmert Manufacturing welded and shaped all the sculpture , The Jaycees used wire mesh to cover the structure; Schmidt's Construction sprayed concrete on for the hide And the bull took form as they viewed him with pride. , Next came Cam Ross with his paint buckets and crew And gave the beast color, a most wonderful view , Sixty-five gallons of paint it took Before those Jaycees were off the hook. , They made him a Hereford so he'd show up at night And placed at his feet a big flood light, So that night or day from two miles away He's visible to travelers along the highway. , In August 1964 a king-sized branding iron 9 ft. by 3 Became the first official cattle brand in town history; In formal registration ceremony on the State House lawn Governor Harold Hughes and Secretary Liddy proclaimed Albert's "J C" the Brand No. 1. , Now Albert bids tourists welcome to a park named for him With shelter house and camp-sites provided for them; People with cameras stop often to view And pick up a souvenir replica, too. , Yes, Albert's tail is long and so is this tale, too, With fond appreciation for those to whom it's due. "Hats off again to cattlemen who keep our bellies full," Says Operation T-Bone and the world's largest bull! , Marjorie Sutcliffe, January, 1973

Albert’s HistoryHere in the heart of T-bone country, famed for its livestock production, Albert stands as a gigantic tribute to the nation’s beef industry.

Albert is 30 feet tall and weighs 45 tons (90,000 pounds). He is 33 feet long and has a horn span of 15 feet. It took 65 gallons of paint to cover Albert. Albert is about 9 times the normal size of a Hereford and authentically painted, right down to his toenails.

It took two years to build Albert, a product of the imagination of Donald C. Olesen, a member of the Audubon Junior Chamber of Commerce, or "Jaycees". This group had a dream… they wanted to build the largest bull in the world to salute the cattle industry that played a vital role in the economic progress of this community.

There were few major tourist attractions in western Iowa in 1963 when this project began, and the Jaycees were convinced that Albert would bring more travelers to this part of the state. And they were right; over 20,000 people stop to see Albert every year!

The City of Audubon donated land on the south edge of town for the construction of the giant statue. When the statue was completed, the Jaycees gave the property back to the city, which operates the facility as “The Albert the Bull Park.”

It was decided to make Albert a Hereford

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bull mainly because Herefords are more colorful than other beef cattle. The American Hereford Association and its Iowa officers pledged cash and technical assistance to the project. A local manufacturer helped with construction; however, most of the hard labor was provided by the Jaycees themselves.

The completed statue was dedicated on October 31, 1964 to coincide with Audubon’s 14th annual Operation T-bone. This event consisted of sending a trainload (actually around 50 carloads) of prime Audubon County beef to Chicago markets. The event did much to promote the beef industry in Iowa and drew worldwide attention to this Audubon County town of 3,000. Operation T-bone was started at the suggestion of Albert Kruse, an Audubon banker. Because he created the idea, the statue was named in his honor.

Albert has other claims to fame. He can be seen in a Hollywood film called “Beethoven’s 3rd.” He has been featured in several national magazines including Home & Away and Midwest Living. His location was even a question on the TV game show “Jeopardy.”

[photo captions]
1. Construction began in 1963. The concrete pad on which Albert stood was the first step toward the Audubon Jaycees’ monument to the beef industry. In 1999 the base was rebuilt.

2. The interior framework of Albert consists of many sections

Albert — the World's Largest Bull — Interpretive Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 30, 2021

2. Albert — the World's Largest Bull — Interpretive Kiosk

similar to the one shown here. The quarter-inch steel rod sections were put together as you’d build a model airplane.

3. This view shows the rectangular I-beam structure which serves as the main interior support, or “skeleton,” of the 45-ton monument. Note how the steel-rod framework was fitted to the I-beam structure.

4. The final step in building Albert’s framework was the connection of his head using a huge crane. The head was one of four major sections fitted to the I-beams.

5. Albert’s “hide” consists of several coats of concrete. The first coat was applied by trowels to a wire mesh that covered the steel rod framework. The second and third coats were applied with a hose, giving Albert a “hair-like” texture.

6. This shows the statue shortly before it was painted in 1964 with the red and white colors of the Hereford breed. Albert received a new coat of paint in 2003.

Ode to Albert the Bull
Dedicated to Albert A. Kruse,
in whose honor the statue was named.

Here in the heart of T-Bone country
Albert stands upon his throne
The largest bull in all the world
Steel and concrete his muscle and bone.

He weighs 45 tons
And stands thirty feet tall
With a twelve foot horn span
And that isn't all.

There's a

Albert — the World's Largest Bull image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 30, 2021

3. Albert — the World's Largest Bull

far greater story than cement and steel
It's the story of people and how they feel;
How they work together when the chips are down
To build a new future for their home town.

While others sought to bring new industry in,
Al Kruse had a vision just where to begin;
"This is beef country", he said, "let us build on that —
To the cattle feeder, I tip my hat!"

So in 1951 people assessed what they had,
Decided living in Iowa wasn't so bad —
Bursting with pride they had to blow their horn
And thus Operation T-bone that year was born.

A banquet was held to kick-off the event —
People talked of the T-Bone wherever they went.
The railroad brought stock cars to load up the cattle,
While farmers and businessmen mingled their prattle.

A big parade and a beef barbecue
Brought people to town for the first big do —
A program and prizes for those who took part
Gave a boost to the spirit and warmed every heart.

To watch fifty stock cars of cattle pull out of sight
Was a might big spectacle that first Saturday night.
And the town that was watching gave a sigh of relief,
There was rejuvenation in that trainload of beef!

Accompanying the special train to Chicago
Were three Pullman coaches with men as their cargo —
With fifty-two shippers were a choice group of friends —
The mayor, Sam Ross, and

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Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

thirty businessmen.

From Audubon to Chicago, the story was told
Of how Iowa farmers turn corn into gold
With prime beef for the Nation — the words printed plain
In large blazoned letters attached to that train!

KMA Shenandoah, sent a broadcaster, too,
To bring back transcriptions of each interview —
Newspaper men found it big news indeed
While this Operation T-Bone was off to full speed!

Audubon's First State Bank with its stalwart Al Kruse
Sponsored the project and served as the fuse
To make all the connections, both at stockyards and hotel
Plus a dinner for shippers who brought cattle to sell.

The stockyards on Monday were booming with sales
When two million pounds of beef went over the scales;
The largest single shipment ever to come from this section
Gave joy to cattle feeders who sensed new direction.

Back home the enthusiasm continued to grow
And the hometown fervor began to show;
The Chamber of Commerce made one thing clear
There would be an Operation T-Bone every year.

In 1963 when the Jaycees were chartered
A brand new project for the town was started —
One man, Donald C. Olesen, dared to scheme,
Thus he told fellow members a most marvelous dream.

As a gigantic tribute to the Beef Industry
And a tourist attraction for people to see;
He suggested they might all in unison pull
And build of concrete, one ALBERT THE BULL!

The proud Jaycees made one stipulation
No local fund raising from solicitation.
So a great many projects were put on by the men
Before they had cash enough to begin.

Unsolicited support and encouragement grew
From various firms, individuals too;
The City gave some land at the south edge of town;
County Supervisors dumped dirt to level the ground.

With a reservoir of talent and long arduous labors
They set out at once to collect gifts from their neighbors —
Old iron from windmills and cast-off machines
Plus greenbacks from purses, and pockets of jeans.

Two presidents served during this great undertaking
For Albert the Bull was two years in the making;
First, Franklin Jorgensen put the show on the road,
Then Dr. Jed Norris took over the load.

Emmert Manufacturing welded and shaped all the sculpture —
The Jaycees used wire mesh to cover the structure;
Schmidt's Construction sprayed concrete on for the hide
And the bull took form as they viewed him with pride.

Next came Cam Ross with his paint buckets and crew
And gave the beast color, a most wonderful view —
Sixty-five gallons of paint it took
Before those Jaycees were off the hook.

They made him a Hereford so he'd show up at night
And placed at his feet a big flood light,
So that night or day from two miles away
He's visible to travelers along the highway.

In August 1964 a king-sized branding iron 9 ft. by 3
Became the first official cattle brand in town history;
In formal registration ceremony on the State House lawn
Governor Harold Hughes and Secretary Liddy proclaimed
Albert's "J C" the Brand No. 1.

Now Albert bids tourists welcome to a park named for him
With shelter house and camp-sites provided for them;
People with cameras stop often to view
And pick up a souvenir replica, too.

Yes, Albert's tail is long and so is this tale, too,
With fond appreciation for those to whom it's due.
"Hats off again to cattlemen who keep our bellies full,"
Says Operation T-Bone and the world's largest bull!
—Marjorie Sutcliffe, January, 1973

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1964.

Location. 41° 42.669′ N, 94° 55.616′ W. Marker is in Audubon, Iowa, in Audubon County. Marker is on East Division Street just north of Southside Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is mounted in the interpretive kiosk overlooking Albert the Bull. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1108 East Division Street, Audubon IA 50025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. T-Bone Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Audubon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Audubon County Courthouse (approx. ¾ mile away); We Honor Our Veterans (approx. ¾ mile away); Audubon County Veterans Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Audubon Public Library (approx. ¾ mile away); Audubon County Tourism (approx. ¾ mile away); Kimballton Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Audubon.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 89 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.