Legend has it that Paul Bunyan was mighty in the sport of fishing as in all else. He picked Minnesota for most of his fishing and is credited with creating more than a few of its ten thousand lakes.
Big Stone Lake, visible here to the north-west and the state's 10th largest, was one of Paul's favorites. Not only for the variety and size of its fish, but because here he found a stone heavy enough to anchor his mammoth boat. Squared roughly from the region's famous granite, it weighed 110 tons.
This legendary boat-anchor was re-discovered on the eve of Minnesota's Statehood Centennial 1958. Only a stone's throw (for Paul) of 2 miles from the foot of the lake though not as easy for 20th century technology to handle as it had been for Paul. It was hoisted forthwith to this hilltop site for a memento of the states 100th birthday.
This project made possible by the Splendid Cooperation of the Big Stone County Centennial Committee, James D. Kaercher, Chairman, The Cold Spring Granite Company, Minnesota Highway Department, City of Ortonville, and all County citizens. Orville Freeman Governor.
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