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Ortonville, Minnesota: Paul Bunyan's Anchor

Bunyan had a boat? Apparently. A big granite slab on a crude chain coat hanger sits next to the Stone County Museum.

Stone County Museum

Address:
985 US Highway 12, Ortonville, MN
Directions:
SW corner of intersection of Hwys 12 and 75, in an area locally known as "hilltop."
Phone:
320-839-3359
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Visitor Tips and News About Paul Bunyan's Anchor

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Paul Bunyan's Anchor.

Paul Bunyan's Anchor

I'm always up for a Paul Bunyan roadside attraction, although this one was a little disappointing -- I was expecting something that looked more like an anchor....

[Stacy Barnes, 07/27/2019]

Our idea of what an anchor looks like has been permanently warped by cartoons and tattoos. Hardy pioneers simply tied a rope around a heavy rock, and Bunyan's rock weighs 110 tons. It was hauled here and put on display in 1958.

Paul Bunyan's Anchor

Up on the hill overlooking Big Stone Lake and the mouth of the Minnesota River is Paul Bunyan's Anchor. This GIANT chunk of granite is apparently the largest piece cut from the surrounding granite quarries. Thousands of years ago Ortonville and the land north all the way to Hudson Bay was covered by a gigantic glacier lake named Lake Agasis. While Paul was out fishing one day, he threw his anchor up on the hill, and voila! The lake is true, however I don't know how much to believe about the anchor. But anyone traveling through should check it, the view is spectacular along with some great history and information posted near the anchor.

[Lesley Moorhead, 05/11/2000]

The anchor weighs 225,000 lbs.


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