Vintage Bemidji MN Travel Decal Paul Bunyan Babe Blue Ox Label Original 1950-60s

Description

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Estate sale find, original vintage Bemidji Minnesota Travel Decal featuring Paul Bunyan and Babe roadside attraction luggage label souvenir decal 1950-1960's.
In the 1920s the rise in automobile popularity and affordability contributed to a significant boom in Bemidji's tourist industry, but it suffered during the Great Depression. Enter Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.
As a means of stimulating tourism in Bemidji, a number of local, civic organizations sponsored a winter carnival meant to promote the city's resources for winter sports. Due to Bemidji's once prominent status as a logging and lumbering center, the celebrations focused on Paul Bunyan, the larger-than life lumberjack who is an American folk hero.
On January 14, 1937 the carnival opened with Earl L. Grinols, Sr., elected as the carnival king. Two giant statues were unveiled at the event: one of Bunyan and the other of his giant blue ox, Babe; the pair were to serve as carnival mascots.
Babe was brought into town on a Grinols Implement & Fuel Co. truck arranged so that its exhaust exited through Babe's nostrils. The statues were designed by Lennord L. Pitney of Park Rapids, Minnesota.
Decal dimensions: 3.25" X 4.25", approximate shipping weight: 3 ounces.
PLEASE SEE PHOTOS FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS - The decal is in overall Good unused condition, however, functionality due to its age is unclear, no envelope, signs of wear, stains, soiling, scuffs, age toning, curling, creases, tears to envelope, no writing, no odors, please see images.
(PC-009)