Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ankonian has been invaluable. – President Eisenhower
Eisenhower National Historic Site
— National Park Service —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 10, 2013
1. Ankonian has been invaluable. Marker
Here in the bull pens and breeding shed, Eisenhower’s plans for the next generation of cattle unfolded. Much of the herd’s success rested on Ankonian 3551. From his pen (on your left), Ankonian served as principal bull from 1956 to 1965. But his reign was carefully controlled.
Rather than release Ankonian into the pasture to sire calves, each mating of cow and bull was closely monitored. Herdsmen charted bloodlines and considered the attributes of each cow. Suitable cows were brought to the breeding shed (on your right) for either artificial insemination or mating. Ankonian’s contributions to the herd led the President to remark in a 1958 letter, “I have been very proud of the animal.”
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list.
Location. 39° 47.444′ N, 77° 15.873′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker can be reached from Eisenhower Farm Road. Marker is located at the Eisenhower
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. I shall leave the place better than I found it. (within shouting distance of this marker); A Herd of Modest Size (within shouting distance of this marker); Second best, he didn’t want. – Robert Hartley, herdsman (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barnyard Diplomacy (about 400 feet away); Welcome to Eisenhower National Historic Site (about 500 feet away); The Pond (about 700 feet away); Follow in the Footsteps (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Helicopter Landing Pad (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. The background of the marker contains a photo of the bull, Ankonian with a caption of “Ankonian had the characteristics – small stature and ample girth – that cattle show judges rated highly in the 1950s and 1960s.”
A photo on the left side of the marker has a caption of “Eisenhower shows his bull Ankonian to West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (above right) during a 1957 visit to the farm.”
Also see . . . Eisenhower National Historic Park. National Park Service website.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 10, 2013
2. Ankonian has been invaluable. Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 10, 2013
3. Marker on the Eisenhower Farm
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 522 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
