Where’s Bessie?

By MARCIA NELESEN ( Contact )   Sunday, May 18, 2008
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— Janesville’s bovine queen is all spiffed up and waiting to be reinstated on a new lighted platform next to Del Taco.

The 16-foot-tall fiberglass Guernsey became a defacto city landmark during the 40 or so years she reigned next to the Oasis off Milton Avenue.

When developers tore down the Oasis to make way for the new Menards, Bessie was carted off to Utzig CARSTAR for a makeover.

“She’s a new lady,” said Tom Lasse, one of the developers.

One early idea was to put Bessie in the middle of the new roundabout that serves the Menards development, but city engineers did not want to encourage pedestrians to cross the roundabout to get to the cow.

So Bessie will be placed in front of Del Taco in about a month, Lasse estimated.

“We’re building her a spot,” Lasse said, adding that developers are planning a dedication.

Bessie will hold court on a raised, lighted platform where people can take pictures.

“She’s being treated like she should be (as) a 40-year-old queen of Janesville,” Lasse said.

“She’s gorgeous. She’s sitting and waiting for her grand entrance.”







reader COMMENTS (33)
SLAYERTHEGREAT
Jun 10, 2008 at 11:09 p.m.
Suggest removal

I THOUGHT BESSIE WENT WENT OVER SEAS TO SOME ISLAND .

peacegirl
Jun 8, 2008 at 7:06 p.m.
Suggest removal

Bessie does need a more respectful spot for all the joys and such she has brought over the years. My kids had to have their pictures taken with the cow. How about we tear down Del Taco and put in a Dairy Queen???

karenjis41
May 21, 2008 at 8:45 p.m.
Suggest removal

I have lived in Janesville for 45 years and "Bessie" has been an icon since I was little. I believe we should take a vote and figure out a better spot for her. As for JanesvilleHero, I think you owe alot of people an apology. These comments are for Bessie not for smart remarks about heavy people. Shame on you!

mrsjoe
May 21, 2008 at 8:40 p.m.
Suggest removal

Yes, a cow in front of the taco place...You see the cow as you go in, and then you eat the cow. Ten minutes later you see the cow go down the toilet. Teaching the kids where food comes from, that's all...and the circle of life!!!

ditzychick
May 21, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.
Suggest removal

The reason we needed another taco joint is very simple.
With todays gas prices the only thing we can afford is tacos LOL!!!!!!!!!

weeds
May 21, 2008 at 10:17 a.m.
Suggest removal

Wow, I thought I was the only one mortified by the first and only Del Taco experience I'll ever have.

Our city cow with a taco joint backdrop.I can almost see what the city planners were thinking. Not.

Carrisford
May 21, 2008 at 5:33 a.m.
Suggest removal

I can't believe they didn't properly account for Bessie when they designed and built the development. "Let's just stick the cow in the roundabout" clearly doesn't seem like a good idea when you know how much people love going up to touch (and take pictures by) the cow. Pity there's not a cheese shop or even an ice cream shop in the development to park her in front of...but a taco place? Run by a foreign corporation? On top of it all to be CALIFORNIA, the "happy cow" people (the ones I've seen there look pretty depressed compared to the ones here)? If they'd put her in front of Menards, at least it'd be a Wisconsin company. I'd rather see Bessie moved somewhere way different so we can have at least some pride in one of our few "claims to fame" than have her parked in front of Del Taco.

Purrmaid
May 20, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.
Suggest removal

Ahem! Bessie is not fat, she's a moooover and a shaker....a real happenin' bovine beauty. ;p

JanesvilleHero
May 20, 2008 at 12:38 p.m.
Suggest removal

I think a big fat cow is a perfect representation of Janesville and the majority of those in this town:-)

Opinionsforfree
May 20, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.
Suggest removal

wahoo_35: yes we need the cow. What we dont need is the taco joint. "the cow" is part of Janesville's history Del-Taco isn't

James
May 20, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
Suggest removal

Yes, we do need the cow!

Also, the devolopers own Del Taco, and probably had some say in where the Cow would stand. Do you not think they knew they would have a great business opportunity by being near the cow? I guarentee they have this built into their business plan!

wahoo_35
May 20, 2008 at 9:31 a.m.
Suggest removal

Do we really need the cow?

Purrmaid
May 20, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.
Suggest removal

Ame8736 - Oh my gosh, you're right! They WILL think she's the restaurant mascot. Yo quiero Taco Bessie.

ame8736
May 20, 2008 at 7:49 a.m.
Suggest removal

I think if they put her by the resturant visitors will think she is the mascot for the resturant. They should find a place just for her.

tibetrin
May 20, 2008 at 6:31 a.m.
Suggest removal

Yes jvlResident, Bessie does belong on that property...but as has been previously stated, who wants a picture of her with DelTaco in the background? City officials didn't want her in the roundabout because people would be crossing it to get to her....what about the people who will be crossing the drive thru lane and backing things up more than the delay in service?

jca
May 19, 2008 at 11:03 p.m.
Suggest removal

Put Bessie next to Del Taco, the worst restaurant in Janesville? Are you kidding me? It will take more than a tourist attraction to get me to go into that place again. I went once and I won't go back.

Here's an idea, save Bessie and put her up at the new Rock County Fairgounds that should be developed out on the county farm property!

ssbucklin
May 19, 2008 at 9:40 p.m.
Suggest removal

I agree. I wouldn't want to take a photo of it with a taco restaurant or Menards in the background. I don't know where downtown they would put it, but a more green location would be more appealing.

jade
May 19, 2008 at 7:44 p.m.
Suggest removal

she should be put in the middle of the roundabout at the new Mendards

wwr1961
May 19, 2008 at 7:31 p.m.
Suggest removal

I think Del Taco should pay the city a per taco fee for having a tourist attraction placed next to their joint.

ms_sassy_wi
May 19, 2008 at 2:37 p.m.
Suggest removal

can't wait to have "her" back! "she" is a tourist attraction and a reason for people to get off the interstate to spend their dollars here, whether at del taco or not. The tourists can decide where they want to spend their money while in Janesville. We have a lot to offer right off the interstate.

JvlResident
May 19, 2008 at 2:27 p.m.
Suggest removal

Is everyone having trouble remembering that is the land she grazed for 40 years. She belongs on that developement.

ame8736
May 19, 2008 at 1:56 p.m.
Suggest removal

cant they find a more centrally location for her? They want people to go into the downtown area. why not there?

hannah
May 19, 2008 at 12:07 p.m.
Suggest removal

I agree in front of the DEL TACO doesnt seem patriotic or something. Any room in front of Cheese place??!?

janesvillereader
May 19, 2008 at 11:57 a.m.
Suggest removal

what better place for a cow then in front of a place that serves beef in there tacos.

Purrmaid
May 19, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.
Suggest removal

As Bessie will be one of the most often photographed sites in Janesville, she should have a nicer backdrop than a taco franchise. I wuv that cow!

garyprimer
May 19, 2008 at 10:38 a.m.
Suggest removal

More giant cows and Bessie, too. Maybe she deserves a new-write up when she is installed.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/set/cow.h...

satman
May 19, 2008 at 10:06 a.m.
Suggest removal

Put a statue of a dog and a cat next to that new restaurant too........

edubswoman68
May 19, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.
Suggest removal

I TRULY DON'T THINK IT SHOULD GO NEXT TO DEL TACO. MAYBE THE CITY SHOULD TAKE A VOTE FROM THE CITIZENS OF JANESVILLE THAT APPRECIATE IT MORE THAN STICKING IT NEXT TO A TACO JOINT!

Opinionsforfree
May 19, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
Suggest removal

Just tear down Del-taco and put Bessie there. I would consider it an upgrade

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