Giant Pioneer Woman

Falcon Heights, Minnesota

Norman Anderson of Minnesota has fallen into obscurity, which is a shame. He was an early user of fiberglass over a sculptural filler to make relatively inexpensive, durable giant statues, and he had some talent. In 1954 he created the big Smokey Bear in International Falls, and in 1958 he sculpted this Pioneer Woman.

Roughly 25 feet tall and undernourished, wearing a hood and a shawl, carrying a book (probably a Bible), she was built as part of Minnesota's centennial celebration and stood on the State Fairgrounds. "Dedicated to the Women of Minnesota," reads the plaque on her base. The notion that a 1958 statue statue should depict a 1958 woman was probably never considered.

Old photos show that the statue originally had a shiny copper-colored exterior; subsequent makeovers have given the woman a more subdued look.

Anderson built another statue for the 1958 State Fair: a King Neptune, 26 feet tall. Anderson's choice of materials, however, was combustable, and Neptune burned up in 1963. Other sculptures by Anderson may have suffered similar fates. It's impressive that the Pioneer Woman has lasted this long.