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World's Largest Plow: world record in Gothenburg, Nebraska

Jul 07, 2023
World's Largest Plow: world record in Gothenburg, Nebraska

Gothenburg, Nebraska, United States--A giant Plow, made of welded metal tubing and angle iron, with two wooden handles, is located just off the highway in front of the Settler's Museum in Gothenburg, Nebraska; it was "Dedicated to Sod House Settlers" and sets the world record for being the World's Largest Plow, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

World's Largest Plow: world record in Gothenburg, Nebraska

"Also the World's Largest Plow, a life-size bison made of 4.5 miles of barbed wire, and other outdoor exhibits. The sod house was built in 1954. An accompanying museum was reported closed in 2023," the Roadside America says.


"The Sod House Museum has been there for years, but reopened after being closed for over four years. There's a buffalo, horse, and Native American made from barbed wire, and a huge, free museum with history pieces. Great picnic area and just off the interstate. Worth a pit stop with or without kids!


"Outdoor exhibits include the World's Largest Sod Buster (a plow); a barbed wire buffalo, horse, and Indian; and a large wooden ear of corn. The sod house has a small, free museum; it's a neat place to see history."

World's Largest Plow: world record in Gothenburg, Nebraska

"The World's Largest Plow is located just off the highway in front of the Settler's Museum. It's a plow," the World's Largest Things says.


"From the sign: "Dedicated to Sod House Settlers/ "What a breed they were -- those sod house settlers. Color, creed, possession did not matter. Everyone was poor, but non a pauper. Can it be they were richer for having little? Can it be they were wiser for knowing less?" - John G. Niehardt.


"World's Largest Plow Stats: Welded metal tubing and angle iron, with wooden handles."

World's Largest Plow: world record in Gothenburg, Nebraska

"Right outside the Sod House Museum in Gothenburg, Nebraska, you’ll find the World’s Largest Plow! This massive sculpture is made of welded metal tubing and angle iron, with two wooden handles," the Dodge Voice says.


"The roadside attraction is located next to an authentic early settler sod house and a life-size bison made out of 4.5 miles of barbed wire. While the museum closed in 2019, the owners hope to reopen soon. In the meantime, you can still stop by to see the outdoor exhibits from afar."

World's Largest Plow: world record in Gothenburg, Nebraska

"Sod houses or `soddies' as they were also known were built on the prairies from the sod of thickly rooted prairie grass by the settlers and were forerunners to the log cabins in North America. The sod was used primarily as there weren't standard building materials such as wood or stone on the prairies. The houses were naturally very cheap to build and surprisingly well insulated but were susceptible to damp and even rain damage," the City Data says.


"The Sod House Museum is a red barn shaped authentic replica of the sod houses built by early settlers in this region and was established in 1988. The lives and working practices of the settlers is honored here with memorabilia and photographs taken during the pioneer era. The inside of the sod houses were pretty sparse reflecting the hard times experienced by the settlers who lived there.


"There is a wooden windmill in an old farmstead setting, life-size barbed wire sculptures of a buffalo and a Native American on horseback adding further realism to the experience here. In the front yard of the museum is one of the world's largest sod-cutting plows, which is one of the few tools the settlers brought west. The visit to the museum also features some impressive barbed-wire art including a life-size buffalo and a horse with a native American rider."

"Naturally I got sidetracked when I discovered there was a sod house there to be seen, plus a bison made of barbed wire and of course inside the museum having those wonderful old photographs and a book to buy with them all in it," the Beans and I On The Loose says.


"I almost left without looking at what I actually had come here for. I can't give you any details on the plow except to say that most likely ol' Merle built this as an attraction to get people to stop for his museum and gift shop.


"It didn't appear to be a real working plow unless Paul Bunyon once owned it. Can you picture Babe the blue ox pulling it? Those are railroad ties making up the base so that will give you some idea as to the size."

"Site includes a sod house, a barn housing photographs and memorabilia, and wooden windmills in an old farmstead setting," the Visit Nebraska says.


"Don't miss the life-size sculpture of a bison and American Indian on horseback made from barbed wire. Open May-Sep, daily, 9am-3pm. Donation."

Reviews from TripAdvisor

"This museum is open! It is NOT permanently closed. It is free, but donations are appreciated. We visited it. It is under new ownership since Covd-time, and the museum displays have apparently been resupplied by the new owners. The Sod House can be visited but is rapidly being reclaimed by nature which just emphasized for us how difficult life on the prairies must have been in the battle to survive and get ahead."

" World's Largest Plow, a life-size bison made of 4.5 miles and Native hunting on horseback made of 3 miles of barbed wire. Red barn is a museum and small gift shop."

"Some 4 years ago new owners bought this property and have really fixed it up. Inside the entrance building are artifacts and as small gift shop. Out back is the sod house, which visitors can enter."

"They are pet friendly and have a few picnic tables out back near the sculptures. The little coffee shop next door has sandwiches and malts , of which you can bring over and enjoy at the picnic tables. We will be sure to stop by again as the museum continues to grow."

"If you like interesting sites as you travel, this is certainly worth a few minutes of your time. Close to the highway and neat to see how homes were made in primitive days. Also had the “World’s Largest Plow” in the same location."


" The museum has wonderful, labeled, family photos worth seeing. There are nice exhibits of the times donated by the locals as well. The gift shop has a great selection of items at very low prices."

World's Largest Plow: Gothenburg, Nebraska


Address: 300 S. Lake Ave., Gothenburg, NE

Directions: I-80 exit 211, northwest side. Very convenient for a sod house; it's just off a freeway exit, behind a gas station.

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