Harmilda’s history dates back to 1955

How many of you, when giving directions in Harvard say, “go past the cow,” or “turn at the cow,” or “if you come to the cow you’ve gone too far?” I know I do this all the time when giving directions to the library. Or when you’re explaining to someone where you are from, do you merely say “the town with the cow”? She’s better than MapQuest as a frame of reference. Harmilda is our celebrity and, if you doubt it, just Google images for Harvard, IL to see pictures with her many visitors.

Well, there wouldn’t be a Harmilda if it weren’t for the Jones brothers, Robert and Perry, from Jones Packing in Lawrence. Apparently these brothers were not very impressed with the 16-foot-long paper-mache monstrosity of a cow the Harvard Jaycees had been displaying since 1955. So, after purchasing a fiberglass steer in 1964 to advertise their meat business, they got the idea of a fiberglass Holstein for Harvard. In the spring of 1966, while preparing for the 25th Milk Days, they donated the first cow to the City of Harvard in recognition of the local dairy industry and Milk Days. She was set on fence posts by the Masonic Temple until June of that year when she was mounted on a permanent stone base at the north end of Ayer Street, the entrance to Harvard’s business district, looking out at the five points intersection. In 1977, the Jones’ purchased a second Holstein, a traveling Harmilda, to represent Harvard at out-of-town events.

In the spring of 1970, the Harvard Herald held a Name the Cow contest. The winners were Dorothy Mathews of Harvard and Josie Smith of Capron. Their entry was an acronym for Harvard Milk Days: HAR MIL DA. Dorothy also wrote a poem about Harmilda. At the 1970 Milk Days our cow was officially christened by the Ed Koch family — that year’s Typical Farm Family. Daughter Valerie placed a garland of flowers around her neck and a crown on her head while Jeff Koch fastened her nameplate to the platform. For many years, starting in 1970, Gunther Geisel of Harvard Gartens would decorate her foundation with fresh flowers.

As you can imagine, an unattended cow in the middle of the street has tempted some pranksters. For a period of time she had an ugly rope tail to discourage the tail stealers. Harvard/Marengo football games could be dangerous events for the lady, involving kidnapping and the color purple. It also became apparent that Harmilda needed to take a vacation during Halloween. During the Christmas season, a wreath and antlers gave her a jolly appearance.

In 1992 IDOT told Harvard they were redoing the 5 points intersection, which would require Harmilda to be moved out of the right-of-way. After much turmoil, polls and plans were considered, and it was decided to place her where she is today, now known as Five Points Park. This is where the Chamber building once stood but it also had to be removed for the IDOT plan. Harmilda still greets all to Harvard and is in a much safer place for picture-taking. Dean Foods donated the mural behind her, depicting our area’s dairy farming roots.

Dorothy Mathews’ poem about our cow begins: “At the junction of the city, Where cross the thorofares (SIC) of man, She stands in regal solitude, As her domain she scans...” If you want to read the whole text, stop in the Harvard Historical Museum, 308 N. Hart Street, Sunday afternoons or during Milk Days weekend. The museum has it printed out and also make available a great deal of other exhibits you will enjoy.

This will be the 46th year Harmilda has presided over Milk Days. Your Highness!