953 nut 59,535 #1 Posted June 28 This is a day dedicated to one of America’s most famous folklore heroes — Paul Bunyan Day comes along only once a year, on June 28! We’re dusting off our old books about this mighty lumberjack and adding a bit of nostalgia to our day. Come, join us! The character Paul Bunyan was brought to life by the stories lumberjacks from the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada told, way back in the 18th century. They were all told orally and no original written account exists in the world. Even the etymology of the name is unknown, but some people believe it is related to the Québécois expression ‘bon yenne!,’ which is an exclamation of surprise or astonishment. Logging bunkhouses continued with the tradition of telling Paul Bunyan stories for decades after that, embellishing it with more and more details to make this lumberjack larger than life. Along the way, he also gained a companion, a giant blue-colored ox called Babe the Blue Ox, who was said to be a gift from Paul’s fellow woodsmen, Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. Many U.S. cities claim the title of being Paul Bunyan’s official home. Statues were erected in various places — a 26 foot tall animated Paul Bunyan at an amusement park in Minnesota as well as a 49-foot tall statue of Bunyan and a 35-foot statue of Babe the Blue Ox in Klamath, California — to honor this folktale. Unlike most other folklore heroes, Paul Bunyan has an origin story. As the story goes, five storks were needed to carry this large newborn. As he became older, when he clapped his hands and laughed, windows shook and shattered. Another tale has him sawing the wooden legs off of his parents’ bed in the middle of the night — when he was only seven months old! Today, stories about Paul Bunyan have appeared in more than 1,000 books; and this character is renowned as one of the most popular and recognizable characters in American folklore. 2 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,121 #2 Posted June 28 I've been a fan of Paul and his Ox as long as I can remember. Here in Maine there is a large statue as well. Bangor has been one of several possible places for the birthplace of the giant. This article contains some info: What is a Maine Story? Chapter One: Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox - Bangor Public Library | Bangor, ME https://share.google/1G7Az0CynGx8gMHxc 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beap52 1,358 #3 Posted Sunday at 12:21 AM Mention of the amusement park in Minnesota brought back a memory. I'm guessing 60 years ago our family apparently visited that park. The only thing I remember it a statue of Paul Bunyan commenting on mom's slacks she wore. It was a time when clothing could almost be clownish and mom apparently work poka dotted or striped but we three boys had a good time razzing mom about Paul Bunyan making public comment about her britches. Our destination in Minnesota was Roosevelt Lake. We would crappie fish under a small bridge. We stayed in rustic cabins (Whose owner thought we still had cowboys and Indians here in Missouri and was amazed we had indoor plumbing). Dad had a Montgomery and Wards 5 hp boat motor that we used to push a little V bottom boat. Once we stopped and trekked up to house, somewhat in ruins and vandalized. It was supposedly Roosevelt's lodge that the family would have visited at one time. After writing the story, I googled Roosevelt Lake and immediately recognized Outing the small town nearby where we stayed--good memories 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
