Geese in Flight was begun in 1998 and completed in 2002. The artist chose to sculpt geese because the birds are significant to North Dakota. They fly through the state every spring and fall, migrating north or south. The geese are enjoyed by bird watchers and hunters alike.

It took four years and over $150,000 to finish this Guinness World Book record sculpture. It was accepted in 2002 by the Guinness World Book as the World’s Largest Scrap Metal Sculpture.

This creation utilized the skills of a number of individuals. High school students welded, several organizations and many community residents donated their time and services.

The sun burst is made of over 300 lengths of well pipe and there is more than 4.4 miles of weld holding the sculpture together. The geese and hills are made from oil well tanks that were taken apart and then welded back together to form the shapes. Over twelve tanks were used to complete this project. More than $9000 in auto paint was used to color the sculpture.

Cranes were rented for $20,000 to move, flip and set the sculpture into place.

Funds for the project were raised from many sources. The National Endowment for the Arts, North Dakota Arts Council, Hettinger County Job Development Authority, the City of Dickinson, Stark County, North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, as well as many private donations made this project a success.

Specifications of ‘Geese in Flight’

• Height: 110 feet
• Width: 154 feet
• Weight: 78.8 tons (157,661 pounds)
• Large Goose
  • Single Wing Span: 32 feet
  • Length 20 feet