National Paul Bunyan Day

As the Paul Bunyan and Babe statues reside by Lake Bemidji, we take a moment to remember all the stories about the famous 18 foot logger and his blue ox companion.

Stories about Paul Bunyan and Babe include that the Grand Canyon was formed by Paul dragging his axe behind him, that Paul carved up the Great Lakes so Babe could have proper watering holes, and that while walking through Minnesota one winter Paul and Babe’s gigantic footprints created the 10,000 lakes.

Bemidji isn’t the only city and Minnesota isn’t the only state where Paul Bunyan and Babe statues stand. You can also see Paul Bunyan and his trusty partner Babe the Blue Ox in Brainerd, MN, Akeley, MN, Mall of America, Eau Claire, WI, Hancock County, IA, Bangor, ME, Rumford, ME, St. Ignace, MI, Ossineke, MI, Klamath, CA, and Portland, OR. There may be Paul Bunyan statues all over the United States, but northwoods residents know his true home is in Bemidji.

The statue of this legendary logger and his equally legendary ox appears in the National Register of Historic Places. Time Magazine listed it as one of their Top 50 American Roadside Attractions, and it was listed in National Geographic’s Top 10 U.S. Roadside Attractions.

If you’ve visited the Minnesota Northwoods, you may have driven past Paul Bunyan and Babe, but have you stopped to take a closer look? The statues are a big attraction for many traveling to or through Bemidji. In honor of National Paul Bunyan day take a drive over to the lake and take your picture with Paul and Babe.