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All the United States Minnesota Kelliher Paul Bunyan's Gravesite

Paul Bunyan's Gravesite

A memorial to a larger-than-life legend, inside a county that also holds Bunyan's death certificate.

Kelliher, Minnesota

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Larissa Hayden
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“Here lies Paul, and that’s all.”   Larissa Hayden for Atlas Obscura
A nearby mural depicting Paul with his trusty companion.   Larissa Hayden for Atlas Obscura
The giant grave mound.   Larissa Hayden for Atlas Obscura
Paul Bunyan’s gravesite.   Larissa Hayden for Atlas Obscura
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  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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Paul Bunyan's gigantic likeness appears all across Minnesota. Legend has it, the state's 10,000 lakes were made by Paul's footprints as he trampled across the land. However, only one location in the state claims to be home to his final resting place, a camping ground known as Paul Bunyan Memorial Park. Beyond the headstone that notes "Here lies Paul, and that's all" is a 20-foot grass-covered mound signifying the mythical man's imposing stature.

This memorial is one of the only burial sites created for a fictitious character in the world. It's not clear when the gravesite was officially installed, though it notes that Paul Bunyan lived from 1794 to 1893 and Beltrami county produced an "official" death certificate on June 14, 1955. 

The gravesite is located in Kelliher, a town named after a lumber businessman and just outside Pine Island State Forest, the largest state forest in Minnesota. So, it may not be surprising that the town of 262 inhabitants has a soft spot for the lumberjack legend.

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Memorials Monuments Legends Forests Parks Ecosystems

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Added By

larissahayden

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Vaquero, Collector of Experiences, SemiruralYeti

  • Vaquero
  • Collector of Experiences
  • SemiruralYeti

Published

October 22, 2020

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelliher,_Minnesota
  • https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/251507-did-you-know-here-lies-paul#:~:text=buried%20in%20Kelliher%3F-,A%20long%20mound%20and%20a%20gravestone%20inscribed%20%22Here%20lies%20Paul,the%20south%20edge%20of%20town.
  • https://www.exploreminnesota.com/article/discover-paul-bunyan-larger-than-life-lumberjack-minnesota
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11476
Paul Bunyan's Gravesite
Paul Bunyan Memorial Park
1st Street Se
Kelliher, Minnesota, 56650
United States
47.939553, -94.44755
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Big Bog State Recreation Area

Waskish, Minnesota

miles away

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miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Minnesota

Minnesota

United States

Places 184
Stories 25

Nearby Places

Big Bog State Recreation Area

Waskish, Minnesota

miles away

The Lost 40

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miles away

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Bemidji, Minnesota

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Minnesota

Minnesota

United States

Places 184
Stories 25

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