The truck that blew exhaust through Babe the Blue Ox's nostrils

Back in 1937, they brought Babe the Blue Ox into town on a truck rigged so the exhaust pipe actually exited through his nostrils. It was a pretty wild stunt meant to grab the attention of everyone driving by for the unveiling of some new statues during a winter carnival.

At that time, Bemidji was trying to shift its vibe from a timber town to a winter sports destination. Since more people were starting to drive around to see the lakes, local groups wanted a real hook for the motorists. They landed on Paul Bunyan, the giant lumberjack, and his massive ox. Paul was built by Carl Aldal, a local cement man, while Babe was built by N. Edward Johnson, who owned the Bemidji Boat Factory.

These aren't just some basic kitsch. The Kodak Company actually claims they are the second most photographed statues in the United States, right behind Mount Rushmore. They are huge enough to feel a bit surreal, with Paul standing about 18 feet tall and Babe measuring 23 feet from nose to tail.

If you wander down Bemidji Avenue North today, you can see they are still in great shape. A restoration in 2006 fixed a crack in Babe's neck that yearly coats of blue paint and caulk just couldn't handle. They are still a solid fixture of the roadside.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons