Long before skyscrapers dotted the skyline, Iowa had a giant of its own—quite literally. Bernard Coyne, born on a farm between the small towns of Oto and Anthon in Woodbury County, grew to a height that defied belief. By the time of his death in 1921 at just 23 years old, Coyne measured at least 8 feet 2 inches tall—and possibly even taller.
Coyne lived with a rare condition called eunuchoid infantile gigantism, a form of excessive growth often tied to hormonal imbalance. While floodwaters in 1929 destroyed records of his birth length, what is known is that by his early teens, he had already surpassed the seven-foot mark.
Life at that height came with plenty of challenges. Coyne couldn’t buy clothes off the rack, so he taught himself to knit his own sweaters. Even custom shoes weren’t enough—he often had to cut the toes out just to make them wearable.
In 1918, Coyne registered for the World War I draft. His official draft card listed his height at an even 8 feet. The U.S. military ultimately turned him away due to his size. Instead of serving on the battlefield, Coyne became a familiar figure at Iowa’s county fairs, where thousands came to catch a glimpse of the state’s towering native son.
He kept growing until the end of his life. When he passed away in May 1921, a local newspaper reported his height at 8 feet 8 inches. Though Robert Wadlow of Illinois is recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest man in recorded history at 8 feet 11 inches, Bernard Coyne still holds the distinction as the tallest Iowan ever known.
Coyne’s story is one of quiet resilience and remarkable stature—both in size and in spirit.
