Standing proudly at the corner of Kistler Farm Road and Coddle Creek Road in Mooresville, North Carolina, a vibrant and colorful sculpture of a cow named Emmaline pays homage to the Harris family’s deep roots in the area.

This piece, designed by Charlotte artist Tina Alberni, celebrates a legacy of farming, family, and the values that shaped the Harris family for over a century. The land, once a thriving dairy farm, is now home to new developments, but the spirit of its agricultural past lives on through this thoughtful tribute.

Jennifer Harris Bullard, the youngest of the Harris grandchildren, shared the family’s story and their connection to the land. Jennifer, who now resides in Beaufort, North Carolina, reflected on her late father, Gene, whom the family affectionately called “Poppy.” “He passed away two and a half years ago,” Jennifer said. “He was one of the kindest and sweetest people you could have ever known.” Gene’s younger brother, Bill, now 84, still lives in the farmhouse but is disabled and uses a wheelchair.

The Harris family’s story began when W.B. Harris purchased the farm from his uncle, Isaac Harris, in the early 1900s. Over the years, the family transitioned from cotton farming to dairy under the leadership of W.B.’s sons, Billy and Henry. For decades, they delivered bottled milk door-to-door and to schools and mills in the community.

Tragedy struck in the 1960s when Billy and Henry passed away unexpectedly, leaving Gene and Bill to take on the responsibility of running the farm at the ages of 25 and 19. Despite their youth, they carried on, milking Jersey cows and maintaining the farm’s reputation as a cornerstone of the Mooresville community.

Jennifer fondly recalls her childhood on the land. “In my lifetime, I rode my bicycle to the farm on that land. My cousin, David, and I rode motorcycles freely across that field without a care in the world and without a helmet, too, I might add. We would walk back to where the trees started and into the woods, playing, building forts, and being allowed to be children. I have experienced the most beautiful sunsets on that land where it slightly rolls. Back then, that area of Mooresville was considered living in the country.”

In 1995, the Harris family sold the herd and ceased all milk production, transitioning to soybean and wheat farming. In 2014, Gene and Bill fully retired from farming and rented their farmland to a local farmer. Gene was 79 years old at the time of his retirement. During their last year of farming, Gene and Bill were awarded by the state of North Carolina for having the highest yield of soybeans in the state, which was a remarkable achievement for their final year of farming.

Standing at the dedication ceremony, Jennifer reflected on the years gone by. “I’ve only had 55 years with it, but I reflect on what Poppy, my grandfather, and great-grandfather had done here before I was ever a thought.”

The cow sculpture, named after a beloved family cow, was inspired by George Maloomian, CEO of Cambridge Properties, who had seen similar public art pieces in Europe. He envisioned a meaningful tribute to the Harris family as their land transitioned from farmland to commercial development. While the family wasn’t involved in the design process, they were deeply touched by the gesture.

Emmaline, the cow, was known for her affectionate and friendly demeanor. Gene often spoke to her in the milking parlor and would place his hat on her head, creating fond memories for the family. “We never named any of our cows because there were just too many,” Jennifer explained. “But for some reason, she was special. Jimmy Howard, who began working on our farm as a teenager and still farms part of our land today, named her. Emmaline had a special place in our hearts.”

The dedication ceremony was an emotional moment for the Harris family. “Standing there during that ceremony, at times we could hardly hear the ones speaking due to the amount of heavy traffic,” Jennifer recalled. “I could still see my grandmother’s house in the distance.

Cambridge Properties was kind and respectful to keep her house on the property when we sold it. It is one of the very few things that still look normal on that side of the road. But change is inevitable. It is going to happen whether we are prepared for it or not.”

Gene, who lived to see the early stages of the land’s transformation, embraced the changes. “Before Poppy passed away, he was in favor of the development and very excited to see what was getting ready to take place on our land. Knowing that small-time farming can no longer make it in this country, he was good with letting go of the farm and seeing something good come to this area. His ability at 88 years old to do this is something to remind myself as I age… To not hold on to every part of the past, but to be excited to see what the future can bring.”

Jennifer concluded, “I know Poppy would have loved to have seen what is being built on the land, to see the beautiful job Cambridge Properties is doing and the respect they are giving our family, and also, to see the fantastic way they honored our family with the vibrant and colorful artist re-creation of Emmaline.”

The tribute to Emmaline is a testament to the Harris family’s resilience and their willingness to embrace change while honoring their roots. Through this dedication, their story is preserved for future generations—a reminder of the hard work, love, and community that defined the Harris family farm.

Photos of the Harris Farm.