Where the Buffalo Roamed

Bison Herd

NPS Photo

Bison: The Sound of Distant Thunder

There was a time when bison herds in the American West were so vast they shook the ground. From miles away, their movement sounded like thunder rolling across the plains.

In the early 1800s, an estimated 30 to 60 million American bison roamed North America. Their story is closely connected to westward expansion — and to the construction of the transcontinental railroad.

Railroad & Rapid Decline

The railroad transformed the plains.

Expanded access brought large-scale commercial hunting and new markets for bison hides, meat, and bones. Rail lines made it possible to transport these products quickly to eastern cities.

By 1900, fewer than 1,000 bison remained.

The dramatic reduction of the herds deeply affected many Plains Tribal Nations, whose cultural traditions, economies, and daily lives were closely connected to the bison.

From Near Extinction to Recovery

By the late 1800s, only small groups survived. Protection efforts — including those in Yellowstone National Park — helped ensure the species’ survival.

Today, bison populations are gradually recovering through conservation partnerships across North America.

At Golden Spike, the sculpture “Distant Thunder” honors the vast herds that once moved across this landscape — and invites reflection on the relationship between people, progress, and place.

 

Unveiling Ceremony, May 10th 2019

NPS Photo

“Distant Thunder” and the Artist

The sculpture “Distant Thunder” was created by Utah artist Michael Coleman and unveiled on May 10, 2019.

Weighing 3,500 pounds, the bronze sculpture took more than a year to complete. It was donated to Golden Spike National Historical Park in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

The Artist

Born and raised in Provo, Utah, Coleman spent much of his childhood outdoors — experiences that shaped his lifelong focus on Western landscapes and wildlife.

He has exhibited at respected institutions including the National Academy of Western Art and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

A Personal Connection

Coleman’s connection to bison is deeply personal.

“My love of buffalo runs deep. The first painting I ever sold was of a buffalo. There was a small herd of bison near Utah Lake… they were magic.”

Through Distant Thunder, Coleman honors both the power of the bison and the memory of the vast herds that once moved across the American West.