Friday, July 17, 2009

World's largest badger statue

On US Highway 45, just north of Birnamwood, Wisconsin, there lies a force of unspeakable power.

That's right - the world's largest badger statue. Look upon my unblinking mustelid zombie eyes, ye mighty, and despair!

I first chanced upon this beast last June while driving through western Shawano County in a driving afternoon rainstorm. Due to the weather and the threat of being run down by a speeding log truck, I didn't stop to take a picture.


Ok, that was a lie: I didn't stop because I was afraid it would eat me.

This time, I was emotionally prepared and blessed with favorable weather. I also did my homework: according to the writeup at RoadsideAmerica.com, the statue was constructed by the owner of the Badgerland Gas Station which previously occupied the site. In its glory days, the badger was 40 feet tall. Now, the Badgerland Gas Station has become the Northern Exposure strip club, and the badger's body is gone, leaving only disembodied head and menacing claws lording over the signs promoting exotic dancers and a "full liquor bar."

Coordinates: 44.99043°N, 89.20450°W (WGS84)


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1 comment:

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