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Welcome to Steele, ND.
Located in the center of North Dakota, Steele is the largest town and county seat in Kidder County
with approximately 800 residents. Over the past several years, Kidder County has become a popular
area for tourists because of its many birding drives. Birding enthusiasts from all over the world have
toured the area’s National Wildlife Refuges. Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge provides self-guided
tours of Long Lake Refuge, Dawson Slade Refuge, Horsehead Lake and Chase Lake and offers
information on the different migratory and nesting birds in each area. More than 300 species of birds
have been spotted throughout these areas. A favorite spot for migratory nesting wildlife including the
Sandhill Crane, is the Coteau Rangeland which is an area of glacial potholes located in the central
flyway. Kidder County as well as other North Dakota birding drives are some of the best sites for
birdwatching in the country.
Birding is one of the few hobbies a person can do regardless of age. A young child can start
birdwatching in their own backyard or even on a school playground and continue the hobby well into
their golden years. More and more people are becoming interested in birding, the environment, and
nature itself. Birding resources are literally at our fingertips. There are web sites devoted to birding,
books on birding, birding tours, bird photos, songs about birds, t-shirts, coffee mugs, postcards, and
even magnets with bird pictures.
In 1998, a group of Steele residents wanted to promote tourism throughout North Dakota with a focus
on the Steele birding drives. What better way to get Steele on the map than with a giant statue?
Jamestown has its giant buffalo, New Salem has its enormous cow, Garrison has the big fish, and
huge turtles can be seen at Dunseith, Bottineau, and Turtle Lake. So why not Steele? The
prevalence of Sandhill cranes in the area made the crane the obvious choice for Steele’s own giant.
“Sandy”, the Sandhill Crane, is a 40 ft. tall, 4 ½ ton iron sculpture located in Steele, ND, halfway
between Bismarck and Jamestown on I-94 at the junction of ND Hwy 3 (exit 200). She was built and
erected in 1999 by James Miller of Arena, ND. James was an accomplished artist, ironworker and
farmer. Sadly, James passed away in 2002 but his amazing sculpture will outlast us all.
Once the sculpture was securely standing, Sandy needed someone to maintain her and improve the
surrounding grounds. In 2000, the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane Foundation was formed by a group
of concerned residents to improve and maintain the area and provide ongoing support. The
Foundation is a non-profit organization funded by private donations and the World’s Largest Sandhill
Crane Gaming.
The Sandhill Crane statue is surrounded by numerous native grass species, flowers, and trees that
are found in the Coteau Rangeland of North Dakota. Initially, thirty species of trees were donated by
the Kidder County Soil Conservation District. Five additional trees were purchased in 2004 with a
grant from the ND Forest Service. A James Miller Memorial Flower Garden was also planted in 2004
to give the grounds a burst of color and fragrance. Ongoing trees, flowers, and monetary donations
continue to enhance and improve the area. In 2005, volunteers constructed a rock waterfall which
adds a soothing sound for visitors touring the site. Future plans include a butterfly garden and a
wetland area.
Located in the center of North Dakota, Steele is the largest town and county seat in Kidder County
with approximately 800 residents. Over the past several years, Kidder County has become a popular
area for tourists because of its many birding drives. Birding enthusiasts from all over the world have
toured the area’s National Wildlife Refuges. Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge provides self-guided
tours of Long Lake Refuge, Dawson Slade Refuge, Horsehead Lake and Chase Lake and offers
information on the different migratory and nesting birds in each area. More than 300 species of birds
have been spotted throughout these areas. A favorite spot for migratory nesting wildlife including the
Sandhill Crane, is the Coteau Rangeland which is an area of glacial potholes located in the central
flyway. Kidder County as well as other North Dakota birding drives are some of the best sites for
birdwatching in the country.
Birding is one of the few hobbies a person can do regardless of age. A young child can start
birdwatching in their own backyard or even on a school playground and continue the hobby well into
their golden years. More and more people are becoming interested in birding, the environment, and
nature itself. Birding resources are literally at our fingertips. There are web sites devoted to birding,
books on birding, birding tours, bird photos, songs about birds, t-shirts, coffee mugs, postcards, and
even magnets with bird pictures.
In 1998, a group of Steele residents wanted to promote tourism throughout North Dakota with a focus
on the Steele birding drives. What better way to get Steele on the map than with a giant statue?
Jamestown has its giant buffalo, New Salem has its enormous cow, Garrison has the big fish, and
huge turtles can be seen at Dunseith, Bottineau, and Turtle Lake. So why not Steele? The
prevalence of Sandhill cranes in the area made the crane the obvious choice for Steele’s own giant.
“Sandy”, the Sandhill Crane, is a 40 ft. tall, 4 ½ ton iron sculpture located in Steele, ND, halfway
between Bismarck and Jamestown on I-94 at the junction of ND Hwy 3 (exit 200). She was built and
erected in 1999 by James Miller of Arena, ND. James was an accomplished artist, ironworker and
farmer. Sadly, James passed away in 2002 but his amazing sculpture will outlast us all.
Once the sculpture was securely standing, Sandy needed someone to maintain her and improve the
surrounding grounds. In 2000, the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane Foundation was formed by a group
of concerned residents to improve and maintain the area and provide ongoing support. The
Foundation is a non-profit organization funded by private donations and the World’s Largest Sandhill
Crane Gaming.
The Sandhill Crane statue is surrounded by numerous native grass species, flowers, and trees that
are found in the Coteau Rangeland of North Dakota. Initially, thirty species of trees were donated by
the Kidder County Soil Conservation District. Five additional trees were purchased in 2004 with a
grant from the ND Forest Service. A James Miller Memorial Flower Garden was also planted in 2004
to give the grounds a burst of color and fragrance. Ongoing trees, flowers, and monetary donations
continue to enhance and improve the area. In 2005, volunteers constructed a rock waterfall which
adds a soothing sound for visitors touring the site. Future plans include a butterfly garden and a
wetland area.
Home
| "Sandy" at sunset |
| Birding facts: The crane is the oldest living species of birds and has existed unchanged for over 2½ million years. Although “Sandy” towers 40 ft. high, in nature, the Sandhill Crane stands 3-4 ft. tall with a wingspan of 6-7 feet and weighs about 6-8 pounds. |
| Both sites are truly amazing! |
| Photo by Floramay Miller |
| Click on the photo above to view one of the most spectacular slide shows set to music, created by photographer Dr. Robert W. Grover |
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