Buffalo Art Initiative

The Tooele City Downtown Buffalo Arts Initiative was organized by the Tooele City Downtown Alliance. Our mission is to restore, support, and promote economic prosperity in Tooele City.

We invite you to come walk through the Downtown area and visit each of our buffalo and see what Downtown has to offer. They are even better in person!

Due to the unfortunate semi-truck accident that took place on November 3, 2023, the buffalo located at the Merc Plaza (28 North Main Street, Tooele) was severely damaged. This downtown buffalo was generously sponsored by The Derm Spa and painted by Marcus Medina. We are currently attempting to repair the damage so that this beautiful buffalo can return to its place of honor. We are so grateful to everyone who supports this program and our amazing City.

Interested in being a sponsor?

Buffalo Art Initiative Sponsor Application

Buffalo Art Initiative – Sponsor Guide

Buffalo Art Initiative Information Flyer

Located at the
Tooele Pioneer Museum
47 East Vine Street
Tooele, UT 84074

THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY THE ALBERT AND DOROTHY BOTTEMA FAMILY.

THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY ROWE HARRISON.

The design is meant to honor the legend of the White Buffalo. The Native American legend includes a white buffalo roaming the valley prior to the coming of the early pioneer settlers. It is also the mascot of the Bottema Family’s alma mater Tooele High School. Representing the importance of the Tooele mining industry, the buffalo is placed on Vine Street where the Tooele Valley Railroad operated between Warner Station and the Smelter at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains. As the railroad grade was constructed, the wooden trestle was built to span the Middle Canyon ravine. The block T on the mountain was originally installed in 1915 by the junior and senior classes from Tooele's first high school.

Located at
Fallen Sky Stone
15 North Main Street
Tooele, UT 84074

THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY THE LIFE’S WORTH LIVING FOUNDATION.

THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY SCOTT SNARR.

The design is meant to encourage conversations that will help those who struggle with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues. It is important for people to realize it is okay to not be okay, and it is okay to reach out when you need a listening ear. Now is the time to end the stigma, and we can begin by starting the conversation.

Located at
Veterans Memorial Park
Corner of Main Street and Vine Street
Tooele, UT 84074

THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY BROKEN ARROW.

THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY APRIL JORGENSON.

The design is meant to represent peace, healing, and remembrance. The pilgrim, Native American, and military aspects, as well as the forget me nots, are meant to remind us of where we came from and encourage us to never forget. The alchemical and geometric signs represent the elements that create life, and the sun is a symbol to bring light and joy to the future of our community.

Located at the
Tooele County Health Department
151 North Main Street
Tooele, UT 84074

THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY MOUNTAIN WEST MEDICAL CENTER.

THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY KARLEE BAWDEN.

The design celebrates the inclusion and diversity in our community as it continues to grow. Coming together as diverse people has been integral to Mountain West Medical Center’s progression. They are improving medical practices and growing closer as a county to create a harmonious, and healthy community.

Located at the
Merc Plaza
28 North North Main Street
Tooele, UT 84074

THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY THE DERM SPA.

THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY MARCUS MEDINA.

The design represents self and community care, because love begins and ends with you. When we take time for ourselves, we are better prepared to help those around us. When we can spend some time doing the things we love and pampering ourselves, that self-care goes beyond us as individuals and moves outward towards bettering the community.

Located at the
Tooele Chamber of Commerce
154 South Main Street
Tooele, UT 84074

THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY BRAEMAR CONSTRUCTION AND LOVELL DEVELOPMENT.

THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY JANA WADDOUPS.

The design was inspired by the artist's son who plays on the Tooele High School Football Team. It is meant to show the love and pride citizens have for Tooele through the portrayal of many classic features of Tooele like the Tooele Oquirrh Mountain ridge with the T and the starry sky.

Located at
Jim's Family Restaurant
281 North Main Street
Tooele, UT 84074

HIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY NIGH-TIME DONUTS AND JIM'S FAMILY RESTAURANT.

THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY REBECCA MANCHESTER.

The design of the interlocking and overlapping branches is meant to convey the connection Tooele City has as a community. The different fruits and flowers represent the diversity and growth of our City.

Located at the
Tooele Valley Museum and Historical Park
35 North Broadway Street
Tooele, UT 84074

Located at
Tooele City Hall
90 North Main Street
Tooele, UT 84074

Located at the
Tooele County Offices
47 South Main Street
Tooele, UT 84074

Located at the Tooele Pioneer Museum 47 East Vine Street Tooele, UT 84074 THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY THE ALBERT AND DOROTHY BOTTEMA FAMILY. THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY ROWE HARRISON. The design is meant to honor the legend of the White Buffalo. The Native American legend includes a white buffalo roaming the valley prior to the coming of the early pioneer settlers. It is also the mascot of the Bottema Family’s alma mater Tooele High School. Representing the importance of the Tooele mining industry, the buffalo is placed on Vine Street where the Tooele Valley Railroad operated between Warner Station and the Smelter at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains. As the railroad grade was constructed, the wooden trestle was built to span the Middle Canyon ravine. The block T on the mountain was originally installed in 1915 by the junior and senior classes from Tooele's first high school.		Located at Fallen Sky Stone 15 North Main Street Tooele, UT 84074 THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY THE LIFE’S WORTH LIVING FOUNDATION. THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY SCOTT SNARR. The design is meant to encourage conversations that will help those who struggle with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues. It is important for people to realize it is okay to not be okay, and it is okay to reach out when you need a listening ear. Now is the time to end the stigma, and we can begin by starting the conversation.

Located at Veterans Memorial Park Corner of Main Street and Vine Street Tooele, UT 84074 THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY BROKEN ARROW. THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY APRIL JORGENSON. The design is meant to represent peace, healing, and remembrance. The pilgrim, Native American, and military aspects, as well as the forget me nots, are meant to remind us of where we came from and encourage us to never forget. The alchemical and geometric signs represent the elements that create life, and the sun is a symbol to bring light and joy to the future of our community.		Located at the Tooele County Health Department 151 North Main Street Tooele, UT 84074 THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY MOUNTAIN WEST MEDICAL CENTER. THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY KARLEE BAWDEN. The design celebrates the inclusion and diversity in our community as it continues to grow. Coming together as diverse people has been integral to Mountain West Medical Center’s progression. They are improving medical practices and growing closer as a county to create a harmonious, and healthy community.

Located at the Merc Plaza 28 North North Main Street Tooele, UT 84074 THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY THE DERM SPA. THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY MARCUS MEDINA. The design represents self and community care, because love begins and ends with you. When we take time for ourselves, we are better prepared to help those around us. When we can spend some time doing the things we love and pampering ourselves, that self-care goes beyond us as individuals and moves outward towards bettering the community.		Located at the Tooele Chamber of Commerce 154 South Main Street Tooele, UT 84074 THIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY BRAEMAR CONSTRUCTION AND LOVELL DEVELOPMENT. THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY JANA WADDOUPS. The design was inspired by the artist's son who plays on the Tooele High School Football Team. It is meant to show the love and pride citizens have for Tooele through the portrayal of many classic features of Tooele like the Tooele Oquirrh Mountain ridge with the T and the starry sky.

Located at Jim's Family Restaurant 281 North Main Street Tooele, UT 84074 HIS DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WAS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY NIGH-TIME DONUTS AND JIM'S FAMILY RESTAURANT. THE ART WAS COMPLETED BY REBECCA MANCHESTER. The design of the interlocking and overlapping branches is meant to convey the connection Tooele City has as a community. The different fruits and flowers represent the diversity and growth of our City.		Located at the Tooele Valley Museum and Historical Park 35 North Broadway Street Tooele, UT 84074

Located at Tooele City Hall 90 North Main Street Tooele, UT 84074		Located at the Tooele County Offices 47 South Main Street Tooele, UT 84074