| Land of the Giants |
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| MINNESOTA: MISC. GIANTS |
| Big Ole Alexandria, MN |
Pierre the VoyageurTwo Harbors, MN | VoyageurBarnum, MN | ||
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Big Ole is a 28' tall, 4-ton Viking – supposedly the world’s tallest. Alexandria claims to be the Birthplace of America with the Vikings arriving in the 1300s. Big Ole was built between 1964-1965 for the Minnesota display at the New York World’s Fair. When he returned, he was placed in downtown Alexandria where he has stood ever since. In 1967, someone set fire to his seasonal Santa suit and he underwent $3,000 worth of repairs. (Therefore, they don’t dress him up any more.) In 1997, he was fully restored. Pranksters have been known to climb up Big Ole to place beer cans on his head or to tie sausages to dangle from his groin area. Every May, an annual festival (Ole Oppe Fest) is held at his base. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [photos thanks Mark Comstock]
Pierre the Voyageur is 20' tall and, at one time, he talked and moved his eyes. This French explorer wears nothing more than a short jacket and boots. He advertised for the former Voyageur Motel next to him. Around 2008, his canoe paddle was removed and the building behind him destroyed. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [photos thanks Mark Comstock] The Barnum Voyageur is 25' tall and known as Big Louie. He was created in 1982 during a dispute between a property owner and the U.S. Park Service. He was later sold to a restaurant and installed where he is today. For more, see this website. [photo thanks Mark Comstock] |
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More MN Voyageurs:
Cloquet Crane Lake Pine City Ranier |
| Jolly Green GiantBlue Earth, MN | |||
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| The Jolly Green Giant, the mascot for the Green Giant Frozen Foods Company, is 55’ tall and was made by Creative Displays (now known as FAST). It cost $43,000 and was erected in 1979 to coincide with the completion of I-90. For more, see this website. [third and fourth photos thanks Mark Comstock] |
| Culvert ManNodine, MN |
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| The Culvert Man... [IN PROGRESS] |
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Elsewhere in this section:
Mermaid (Mounds View) Uncle Sam (Virginia) |
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More MN Giants:
Miner: 1, 2 (Chisholm) Beach Guy (Hampton) St. Urho (Menahga) Rocky Taconite (Silver Bay) Viking (Spring Grove) |
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MN Muffler Men |
Giants Main Page |
| [Main Roadside Page] |
all photos contained at this website are copyrighted and may be used only with consent