Rothsay, a small town of 500 residents, is located in the western plains of Minnesota. Back in the day, the prairie grasses would grow 10 ft. tall and prairie chickens numbered plenty. Rothsay is no ordinary small town though, it boasts being home to the largest booming prairie chicken around. Weighing in at 9,000 pounds, 13’ tall and 18’ long, this is no ordinary chicken. Beyond its sheer size, this chicken is memorable for the puffy orange sacs that outline its head. It gets its name, booming prairie chicken, from the booming sound the male makes while puffing the orange sacs and stomping around during mating. The statue was unveiled in 1976 in celebration of America’s Bicentennial. This self-proclaimed “Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota” gives credit for the design and construction to Art Fosse. This is a great stop for lunch at the small park located by the statue. Enjoy your view of native prairie grass and if your lucky, maybe you will see some smaller prairie chickens scurry about.
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See this larger than life booming prairie chicken in Rothsay Minnesota
