The World's Largest Steer


This file appears in: Kokomo's Historic Highland Park
The World's Largest Steer
ca. 1940-1945

This World War II photo featured a young woman named Phyllis Hartzell with Old Ben, the “World’s Largest Steer.” Ben was born in Miami County in 1902, and grew to prodigious size. He was said to weigh as much at 4,720 pounds. Ben was exhibited at fairs around the state, including the State Fair, until 1910, when he slipped on ice and broke a leg. In 1919, his stuffed remains (the rest of him became frankfurters) came to Highland Park, where he resides in his own special pavilion.


This file appears in: Kokomo's Historic Highland Park