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All the United States Maine Bangor Paul Bunyan Statue

Paul Bunyan Statue

This handsome giant is said to mark the birthplace of the mythical woodsman and even had a cameo in a Stephen King novel.

Bangor, Maine

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Paul Bunyan Statue, Bangor   Dennis Jarvis on Wikipedia
Paul Bunyan Statue, Bangor   Dennis Jarvis on Flickr
Paul Bunyan Statue, Bangor   SarakOfVulcan on Wikipedia
Human added for size reference.   JesseMan / Atlas Obscura User
Paul Bunyan statue, December 2017   JamieTrie / Atlas Obscura User
Paul   Dixontrips / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Towering over Main Street since 1959, a 31-foot-high Paul Bunyan stands in front of the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine, claiming the city as his supposed birthplace, while establishing a bit of celebrity all its own. 

This uniquely handsome Paul Bunyan statue was given to the city of Bangor by a New York group of builders in 1959 on their 125th anniversary. The giant statue is built from a metal frame covered in colorful fiberglass and is built to withstand hurricane-force winds. The statue claims to be the largest Paul Bunyan statue in the world. As in many cases of "world's largest" things, it may be true, but verifying such a fact is a bit tough.

Regardless, it may also be the most handsome Bunyan in existence. In America, giant Paul Bunyan statues can be found all across the roadways, but many are fairly crudely sculpted roadside muffler men. However, the Bangor Bunyan is a notably detailed and jolly sculpt.

Paul Bunyan's legend is a staple of American culture as a whole, but the Bangor Bunyan joined the larger cultural landscape when it came to life in Stephen King's novel It. The beloved statue has also taken part in a number of local promotional events that see the figure don other clothes, such as a Shriner's fez. In 2015 the original designer of the statue suggested that they add a giant ox to the site.  

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Statues Paul Bunyan Giant Roadside Attractions

Know Before You Go

You can't miss the statue, as it looks directly down on Main Street, directly in front of the Cross Insurance Center and across the street from the Hollywood Casino. There is free parking nearby, but none directly at the statue itself.

Community Contributors

Added By

unknowndetails

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rugby007, EricGrundhauser, JesseMan, JamieTrie...

  • rugby007
  • EricGrundhauser
  • JesseMan
  • JamieTrie
  • Dixontrips
  • melissamaimone11

Published

August 24, 2015

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  • http://bangorinfo.com/Focus/focus_paul_bunyan.html
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10327
  • http://vagabondglovers.blogspot.com/2010/07/three-great-states.html
  • http://bangordailynews.com/2015/02/12/news/bangor/original-paul-bunyan-sculptor-wants-to-add-babe-the-blue-ox-to-bangor-landmark/
Paul Bunyan Statue
Bass Park
Bangor, Maine, 04401
United States
44.787949, -68.778282
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Bangor Police Museum

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Explore the Destination Guide

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Bangor

Maine

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Nearby Places

Bangor Police Museum

Bangor, Maine

miles away

Bangor Opera House

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bangor

Bangor

Maine

Places 8
Stories 1

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