Meet Big Ole: The Towering Viking of Alexandria, Minnesota
Discover the towering Big Ole Viking statue and the quirky Viking history of Alexandria, Minnesota! This is a Minnesota icon you can’t miss! š”ļø #BigOle #VikingHistory #AlexandriaMN
Alexandria, Minnesota – A giant lives here. A giant Viking, to be specific. His name is Big Ole. He’s a symbol of the town’s pride in their Viking history.
The town of Alexandria has an interesting story about its Viking past. They believe Norsemen visited in 1362, and a runestone found in 1898 was thought to prove it. Even though the stone was later called a fake, the town still holds onto its Viking slogan.
Big Ole was made for the New York World’s Fair in 1965 and then moved to northern Minnesota. He’s had quite the adventure since then! He’s been set on fire, had his sword broken, and even got knocked over by a windstorm. But the people of Alexandria always fix him up and celebrate his return.
In 1967, the town dressed him in a Santa suit for the holidays, but a flaming arrow set Ole ablaze!
Over the years there have been some cheeky additions made to his anatomy, with vandals adding something – ahem – between his legs!
In 2002, they moved him to a park by Lake Agnes to give him a less stressful spot. In 2015, they raised money for repairs and gave him a total makeover. Now, Big Ole is ready to stand tall into the mid-21st century. He’s now facing the Runestone Museum, which has a collection of exhibits, including the rock that inspired his creation.
Big Ole Central Park (200 Broadway Street, Alexandria, MN 56308), where he stands, is also a great spot for outdoor activities. It’s the start of the Central Lakes Trail and hosts a farmer’s market three times a week. You can find all sorts of locally grown produce there.
Today Big Ole lives across the street from the Runestone Museum which is definitely worth a visit. We even interviewed the History Channel’s Scott Wolter to learn more about this incredible slice of American history.
š£ Have you ever been to the Big Ole statue? Do you think Vikings visited America in 1362? Let us know your thoughts below. ā¬ļø
been vacationing near Alex for over 50 years! No doubt in my mind that vikings were there well before Columbus. no way an uneducated swede carved the Runestone!
Hey John! Thanks for reading and sharing. We agree! You might get a kick out of our interview with Scott Wolter from the History Channel. He’s dedicated a lot of time to Runestone research: https://jackandkitty.com/scott-wolter-kensington-runestone/ – Keep on enjoying Alex (there’s a lot to enjoy)! Safe travels. Jack and Kitty