Cut Bank is a small town on US Hwy 2, en route from I-15 to Glacier National Park. If they have glaciers, it stands to reason that this region is colder than most of the rest of the US. Hence the claim in Cut Bank as the "Coldest Spot in the Nation" (ignoring Alaska, of course).
The giant penguin statue is 27 feet tall, 10,000 lbs of concrete over a metal frame, standing on a rounded base labeled with the "Coldest Spot" claim, and next to a sign for the Glacier Inn.
The sculpture, designed by Ron Gustafson, is in a style and made of material that might make it appear to be a classic -- 70 or 80 years old. But it was built more recently, in 1989. And it has a hidden feature -- when working -- it talks!
Other towns claim dominion in the subzero battle, including International Falls, Minnesota -- Icebox of the Nation. Weather data shows that the town of Stanley, Idaho is often the coldest place in the lower 48. But they apparently never warm up enough to go outside and erect a statue.
