Paul Bunyan, Michigan’s Original Lumberjack

The Legend of Paul Bunyan in Michigan

In 2006, Michigan officially designated the Lake Huron coastal town of Oscoda as the birthplace of Paul Bunyan’s legend, first written in 1906 by James MacGillivray.

Paul’s legend only grew from there...

– He’s said to have used Saginaw Bay for a bathtub. Sometime later, he made the bay bigger, turning it into Lake Huron. – With just his boot heel, Paul is said to have dug out Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, giving Babe watering holes to drink.

Paul Bunyan statues

Oscoda’s Paul Bunyan Statue Ossineke’s Paul Bunyan Statue Paul Bunyan Statue in Alpena Michigan West Branch’s Paul Bunyan Statue Paul Bunyan at Castle Rock in St Ignace Manistique’s Paul Bunyan Statue Paul Bunyan in Brooklyn Michigan

Football, A Rivalry, and the Paul Bunyan Trophy

One of the most lasting impressions of Paul Bunyan can be seen in the Paul Bunyan Trophy, the annual prize awarded to the winner of the Michigan State-Michigan football rivalry game each fall.

Paul Bunyan’s Michigan Influence Today

You don’t have to look too much or travel too far to find evidence of Paul Bunyan’s impact on Michigan. If you love Michigan history, there’s a whole lot of it out there about Paul Bunyan to learn.

Swipe Up for MORE about Paul Bunyan, Michigan’s Original Lumberjack