About World’s Largest Elk Antler Arch
Downtown Afton has an arch built from more than 3,000 elk antlers stretching across all four lanes of US Highway 89. The structure measures about 75 feet wide, weighs roughly 15 tons, and is promoted as the world’s largest arch constructed from elk antlers.
The project began in the 1950s after the local chamber of commerce decided Afton needed a landmark tied to the wildlife of Star Valley. Naturally shed antlers were gathered, many from the National Elk Refuge region near Jackson, and woven around the steel framework.
The finished arch was completed in 1958. Smaller antler structures stand near its supports, while carved elk figures added later appear above the center of the span.
No herd had to be sacrificed to construct it. Elk naturally shed their antlers each year, allowing thousands of discarded racks to be collected and transformed into architecture.
Jackson is famous for its antler arches, but Afton went for a different achievement. Instead of decorating the corners of a park, the town built one large enough to cross the main highway.