Mapleton Township in West Fargo in Cass County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Moum Ag Building
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025
1. Moum Ag Building Marker
The Ag Building is home to what was at one time the world's largest bulldozer, which required the concrete slab on which it sits to be over a foot thick. It weighs over 200,000 pounds and is powered by two 425 horsepower diesel engines.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1996.
Location. 46° 52.537′ N, 96° 55.667′ W. Marker is in West Fargo, North Dakota, in Cass County. It is in Mapleton Township. It can be reached from Main Avenue West (U.S. 10) east of 21st Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east. The marker is attached to the building between the garage door and main entrance. Moum Ag Building is part of Bonanzaville USA Historic Museum and Pioneer Village. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Red River Valley and in Greater Fargo Area. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Martinson Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Fire Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Trangsrud House (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots (within shouting distance of this marker); Never Forget Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Houston House (within shouting distance of this marker); Hagen House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Fargo.
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025
2. Moum Ag Building Marker between garage and front door entrances
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025
3. Once the largest bulldozer in the world inside the Moum Ag Building
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025
4. Steiger #1 - Barney marker inside the building
Steiger #1-Barney
Steiger #1 was built in the Steigers' farm shop, a converted dairy barn, during the winter of 1957-58. To build it, the Steiger men combined their talents:
Douglass' ability to draw plans for tractors; Maurice's diesel mechanics, welding, and steel fabricating talents; and John's blacksmithing skills. Together, the Steiger men hand-built Steiger #1 using only a cutting torch, arc welder, small turing lathe, and the miscellaneous tools usually found around a farm shop.
Rumor has it that Steiger #1 got its infamous lime-green color due to a mixture of left-over paint. However, Douglass clarifies that the color was selected as a result of seeing construction equipment in that same color, which they believed the bright green would make the tractor distinctive from other farm equipment.
Used from 1958 until 1973, and mostly driven by John Steiger, Steiger #1 was retired with approximately 10,000 hours. In 1975, Maurice Steiger and his son, Bryan, refurbished Steiger #1. Once the machine was refurbished, it was moved to West Fargo and donated to Bonanzaville, USA. Steiger #1, along with other Steigers in the collection, are still driven in parades during annual events, and can be seen at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion each Labor Day weekend in Hawley, Minnesota. Donated by Douglass Steiger and Steiger Family (Caption) Image Courtesy of Steiger Family Collection Steiger #1 as restored in 1085 in front of "The Barn."
Rumor has it that Steiger #1 got its infamous lime-green color due to a mixture of left-over paint. However, Douglass clarifies that the color was selected as a result of seeing construction equipment in that same color, which they believed the bright green would make the tractor distinctive from other farm equipment.
Used from 1958 until 1973, and mostly driven by John Steiger, Steiger #1 was retired with approximately 10,000 hours. In 1975, Maurice Steiger and his son, Bryan, refurbished Steiger #1. Once the machine was refurbished, it was moved to West Fargo and donated to Bonanzaville, USA. Steiger #1, along with other Steigers in the collection, are still driven in parades during annual events, and can be seen at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion each Labor Day weekend in Hawley, Minnesota. Donated by Douglass Steiger and Steiger Family (Caption) Image Courtesy of Steiger Family Collection Steiger #1 as restored in 1085 in front of "The Barn."
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025
5. Steiger #1 - Barney inside the Moum Ag building
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025
6. Other agricultural equipment displayed inside the Moum Ag Building
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
