In 1999, residents of Bethel, Maine in America built Angus, King of the Mountain, which was the world's tallest snowman at the time, standing at 113 feet and 7 inches tall.
A Giant Among Snowmen: Maine's 1999 Record
In the small town of Bethel, Maine, a truly colossal undertaking took place in 1999. The community came together to construct a magnificent figure that captured the hearts and imaginations of many: Angus, King of the Mountain. This wasn't just any snowman; it was, at the time, the tallest snowman ever built, reaching an astonishing height of 113 feet and 7 inches.
The sheer scale of Angus was mind-boggling. Standing taller than many city buildings, he became a temporary landmark in the snowy landscape of Maine. His creation was a testament to community spirit, engineering ingenuity, and a healthy dose of winter enthusiasm.
Building a Behemoth
The ambitious project required a monumental effort from the residents of Bethel. Teams of volunteers worked tirelessly, piling snow with machinery and shaping the massive figure by hand. It took an incredible amount of snow, estimated to be around 8 million pounds, to form Angus's towering structure. The task wasn't just about accumulation; it was also about precision, ensuring the stability and artistic detail of the frosty monarch.
Specialized equipment, typically used for ski slope maintenance, was brought in to manage the vast quantities of snow. This collaborative spirit transformed a challenging endeavor into a joyful community event, drawing attention from across the globe. Everyone wanted to see the king of the mountain.
Royal Proportions and Quirky Details
Angus was adorned with features befitting his royal title. His eyes were crafted from giant 4-foot wreaths, giving him a watchful gaze over his temporary kingdom. For a nose, a 6-foot carrot-shaped structure, made from chicken wire and muslin, protruded from his face, adding a touch of classic snowman charm.
Perhaps most impressive was his hat: a massive 20-foot fleece cap that sat jauntily atop his snowy head. These details, while functional in their construction, brought Angus to life and made him an endearing figure to all who witnessed his grandeur.
A Temporary Reign and Lasting Memories
While Angus, King of the Mountain, held the title of the world's tallest snowman for a period, records are made to be broken. Maine itself surpassed his height in 2008 with Olympia SnowWoman, and later, a snowman in Austria claimed the global record in 2020. However, the legacy of Angus remains undiminished.
His creation sparked joy and wonder, demonstrating what a community can achieve when it works together towards a whimsical, yet challenging, goal. Angus solidified Bethel's reputation for its love of winter and its capacity for incredible, large-scale projects. He melted away by June 1999, but the memories of his majestic presence endured, proving that some legends are truly larger than life.