Giant Rotating Cow

Ask any West Ashley resident for directions and they will almost certainly include the area’s most famous landmark, the Coburg Cow. Over the years the cow has become one of the most beloved Charleston figures. But don’t think that just because she’s popular, she’s always had it easy. Nearly 80 years ago, the first Coburg cow, often referred to as “the hanging cow,” was erected near the spot where the current cow now spins. It was outlined in blinking neon and was one of the first of such technology in the area. It must have been an incredible sight to see for motorists traveling to Charleston from the South. At that time most of what is now West Ashley (then known as St. Andrew’s Parish) was considered way out in the country. A manifestation of current sign first appeared in 1959. It was very much like the sign we have today, featuring the giant “C” and the rotating cow. According to Frank Hanckell, whose family began the Coburg Dairy, the sign was designed by the Roberts Sign Company, which still operates out of West Ashley and still repairs and maintains the sign.