Finding Minnesota: Paul Bunyan Land
BRAINERD, Minn. (WCCO) -- It's been one of the magical parts of growing up in Minnesota: having a 27-foot Paul Bunyan statue somehow know your name just moments after your parents sign you in at the front desk.
"We could never figure out how he was able to remember us year after year," said Pat Kallemeyn of Ramsey, whose family had a cabin on nearby Gull Lake. "And it was kind of mind-blowing, you know?"
For decades, Paul greeted visitors at his amusement park in Baxter. But when that park closed in 2003, many people got the impression that Paul was gone forever.
"Yeah, we're working real hard to let everybody know that Paul definitely is in the Brainerd area," said Lois Smude, one of the co-owners of Paul Bunyan Land.
Big Paul and all the old rides are now just six miles east of Brainerd -- added on to the property that also houses This Old Farm Pioneer Village.
"We have everything that the park used to have years ago," said Smude. "A traditional park, we have found, and now we have added it to a Pioneer Village. So it's an amusement park, petting barn and pioneer village all in one day."
Babe the Blue Ox has gotten a makeover in the past couple of years, now looking much beefier in the front parking lot. Paul has had a little work done too.
"We wanted him to look more like a woodsman," said Smude. "We made him a new shirt, piece by piece, and actually hired a professional to come in and give him that new look."
"It's been really exciting for these guys," said Julie Kallemeyn, pointing to her brother's twin sons. "I'd forgotten what an exciting little moment it is that he would remember or know your name."
Pat Kallemeyn agreed.
"And there are amazing places like Valleyfair today," he said. "But nothing really, I think, is as heart-warming and classic Minnesota as coming and seeing Paul every summer."
The amusement park has more than 30 attractions while the Pioneer Village has about 40 buildings to walk through. They include everything from a school-house to an old-time saloon.
For more information on Paul Bunyan Land, such as hours and prices, click on the link below.
