Life-size buffalo sculpture display in Limestone Park

Sam McKinney created the two life-sized bronze sculptures, a female buffalo cow, and her calf. They are in the right hand corner of Limestone Park as if coming up from the river.

Bruce Carlson, president of Carlson Software, continues to promote the rich heritage of the Buffalo Trace area with his newest edition to Limestone Park, Maysville. Sam McKinney created the two life-sized bronze sculptures, a female buffalo cow and her calf. They are in the right hand corner of the park as if coming up from the river. Located directly behind them is the River Valley Hunting Grounds mural with the Indians and buffalo. The mural is the perfect backdrop for the buffalo.

Carlson heard about McKinney through another local artist, James D. Werline. He had hired Werline to do some work for the lobby of his corporate office. “When I mentioned to “Skip” my interest in doing two buffalo, he pointed me to Sam McKinney of Morehead. Sam and Skip took art classes together at Morehead State University,” Carlson said.

Carlson created Limestone Park to further enhance the aesthetics of downtown Maysville. “ It serves as an inviting point of entry to the business district,” Carlson stated. “The city of Maysville made the first move by creating Limestone Landing, bringing in the French Quarter Hotel and painting the murals on the floodwall - all examples of quality design. Inspired by the city’s efforts, we, Carlson Software, extended those same design elements into Limestone Park and the Parc Cafe.”

Buffalos were chosen because of the close historical ties to the area. “Before the damning of the Ohio River, there apparently were low water rapids here in Maysville by Limestone Landing. In dry weather, the buffalo could cross the river and head south to the Blue Licks salt lick,” according to Carlson. He goes on further to state, “The buffalo created a trail that served as a road for early pioneers.” While drilling a drain during the early stages of the park, the workers found nine buffalo horns and an assortment of leather objects. These items can be seen in the Cafe.

Sam McKinney, a freelance sculpture and painter for over 35 years, created these two masterpieces along with the help of longtime friend and artist, Eddie Horton. The cow weighs approximately 1300 pounds and is 10 feet long by 5 feet tall with her baby weighing 350 pounds, 45 inches in length and 30 inches tall at the hump. Sam spent time studying buffalo on a friend’s farm, making sure his sculptures were anatomically correct. Once the Marquette was approved, he began the long process of sculpting them life-size in clay. They then go from clay to rubber to plaster to be able to pour the molten bronze in before creating the finished product. The buffalo came from the foundry in pieces. Sam states, “It was like putting a jigsaw puzzle together of my own work.” After welding the pieces together, he cleaned them and sand blasted them before applying the patina and lacquer. Once all the steps were competed, they were loaded on a flat bed truck and delivered and installed in Limestone Park.

For more information on Sam McKinney and his work, please visit his website at www.sammckinneyart.com.