wishek badger

The "World's Largest Badger," lives in Wishek. He's been named "Barney" and was the school mascot for many years until Ashley and Wishek consolidated sports and the team became known as the Mustangs. Mustangs or not, Barney remains and to my knowledge, no one has ever challenged the "world's largest" claim.

The Wishek Badger, a painted concrete sculpture, is a representation of the mascot of Wishek High School. It was constructed in 1978 by a group of boys enrolled in some sort of youth program. It stands at the corner of the city block where the high school once stood. The historic WPA city auditorium still stands in this same city block, and across the street west is the McTwist Drive-In. It's worth a stroll across the street from the McTwist to take a look at the Badger, who, unlike so many roadside statues, conveys attitude. He strikes a defiant pose. I wonder about those red eyes--was he once wired to light them up? His paint job could use a little touch-up.