On this date in Minnesota History: June 10

June 10, 1975 – Rothsay, Minn. (Otter Tail and Wilkin counties), was designated “Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota” on this date. A 13-foot-tall, 9000 pound statue of a booming prairie chicken was unveiled a year later, on June 15, 1976.

http://www.worldslargestthings.com/minnesota/prairiechicken.htm

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2712

Rothsay, Minn., “Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota” 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothsay,_Minnesota

Plaque:

Prairie chickens moved ahead of the settlers to inhabit the prairies of Minnesota. A large concentration of the protected bird can still be seen on prairie meadows of
the Rothsay area. In the early spring the male prairie chicken performs his mating
ritual called booming. He spreads his wings and tail feathers, inflates the orange
wind sacs and struts while making the booming sound. 

On June 10, 1975, Rothsay was designated “Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota”. This statue of a booming prairie chicken was designed and built by Art Fosse with assistance and funds from the community. The statue stands 13 x 18 feet and weighs 9,000 pounds. It was placed on this site and unveiled,
June 15, 1976.

The objective of this project is to alert area visitors and remind local residents of the beauty to be found on the native prairie grasslands.

Rothsay Centennial Committee - 1983

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