Kansas City Celebrates 70 Years of the Iconic Hereford Bull Statue

Kansas City’s Iconic Hereford Bull: A Celebration of 70 Years

If you’ve ever strolled through Mulkey Square Park in Kansas City, you might have caught sight of a rather unique statue towering over the area — a massive Hereford Bull perched atop a 90-foot pillar. This striking figure has been a steadfast presence in the city for over 70 years, and it brings with it a rich history that deserves a closer look.

A Historical Landmark

The Hereford Bull first made its grand entrance to Kansas City in 1954, long before the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office even graced the landscape. Originally located just under 800 feet away from its current position, this great statue was created as a symbol for the American Hereford Association (AHA), which was expanding its headquarters at the time. This project was a major one, costing a whopping million dollars and responding to a growing demand within the cattle industry.

The journey towards creating this monumental bull began in the early ‘50s when annual registrations for Herefords had skyrocketed, quadrupling since 1920. The AHA had grown from 15 employees to 135 within just a few decades, and they needed a headquarters that reflected their prominence in the industry.

The Vision Behind the Bull

The design of the headquarters, and the bull that would crown it, was entrusted to famed Kansas architect Joseph Radotinsky, a farmer raising Herefords himself. Interestingly enough, there was some debate over which direction the bull should face: some designs showed him looking west while others had him facing south toward the Stockyards. Ultimately, it came down to a coin toss!

But first, let’s talk about how such an ambitious statue would actually be created. To model the bull, an AHA field man named Bud Snidow traveled to a Maryland farm to meet a record-breaking Hereford named Hillcrest Larry IV, who weighed in at a whopping 1,900 pounds. The AHA wanted to capture this impressive creature, taking numerous photographs and measurements to ensure accuracy. The result was a colossal statue made from 39 sections of fiberglass-reinforced polyester plastic, designed to withstand fierce weather conditions, including hail and winds of up to 110 miles per hour.

A Glittering Arrival

The finished bull made his long journey from New Jersey to Kansas City in October 1954, just in time for a grand dedication where President Dwight D. Eisenhower would participate. The initial lighting ceremony marked a significant moment for the city, attracting attention from all around.

A Point of Pride —or Embarrassment?

Calvin Trillin to defend it in a piece written for The New Yorker. Over the years, as the city evolved, perceptions of the bull shifted as well.

A New Home in Mulkey Square

Mulkey Square Park.

Remembering the Bull

platinum jubilee this year, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate this symbol of Kansas City’s storied past. Although he may not glow at night anymore or stand as prominently as in previous decades, visitors to Mulkey Square Park can still take a moment to marvel at this celebrated figure. Standing tall among the trees, the Hereford Bull continues to remind us of a time when Kansas City’s lifeblood was deeply intertwined with livestock and agriculture, making him a notable figure in our city’s colorful history.