A CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY of the PAUL BUNYAN and BLUE OX PHENOMENA of the NORTHWOODS by JOHN PATRICK HARTY BS
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LEGENDARY LANDSCAPES: A CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE PAUL BUNYAN AND BLUE OX PHENOMENA OF THE NORTHWOODS by JOHN PATRICK HARTY B.S., Montana State University, 1995 M.S., University of Utah, 2000 AN ABSTRACT OF A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Geography College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2007 Abstract Landscapes express much of who we are. Our history, thoughts, and values are all interwoven into cultural landscape features. By researching the landscape similarities and dissimilarities on the regional level, geographers are able to learn more about a people’s identity. Scattered across the vast expanses of the Northwoods, residents and visitors alike are greeted by representations of a lumberjack and his blue ox. In addition to large statues of Paul Bunyan and the Blue Ox, festivals, sporting events, businesses, and public lands are all named in honor of the two folk giants. These features are so prevalent and well known that references to the region by those who live outside the Northwoods often begin by acknowledging the folk heroes. This study explains the relationship between Paul Bunyan and the Northwoods region. Focusing on the area of northern Minnesota between the towns of Bemidji and Brainerd, qualitative research methods were conducted over a four-year period (2004- 2007) to better understand the phenomena. Since the 1930s, residents of the Northwoods have used Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox landscape features to celebrate symbolically the region’s golden age of logging. These representations have evolved over the years to include both public and private landscape features. Given the level of permanence of many of the items as well as the authenticity, popularity, and attachment local residents express towards Paul and Babe, cultural landscape features of the lumberjack and his blue ox will continue to be seen as an integral component of the Northwoods’ regional identity. LEGENDARY LANDSCAPES: A CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE PAUL BUNYAN AND BLUE OX PHENOMENA OF THE NORTHWOODS by JOHN PATRICK HARTY B.S., Montana State University, 1995 M.S., University of Utah, 2000 A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Geography College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2007 Approved by: Major Professor Karen J. De Bres, PhD Copyright JOHN PATRICK HARTY 2007 Abstract Landscapes express much of who we are. Our history, thoughts, and values are all interwoven into cultural landscape features. By researching the landscape similarities and dissimilarities on the regional level, geographers are able to learn more about a people’s identity. Scattered across the vast expanses of the Northwoods, residents and visitors alike are greeted by representations of a lumberjack and his blue ox. In addition to large statues of Paul Bunyan and the Blue Ox, festivals, sporting events, businesses, and public lands are all named in honor of the two folk giants. These features are so prevalent and well known that references to the region by those who live outside the Northwoods often begin by acknowledging the folk heroes. This study explains the relationship between Paul Bunyan and the Northwoods region. Focusing on the area of northern Minnesota between the towns of Bemidji and Brainerd, qualitative research methods were conducted over a four-year period (2004- 2007) to better understand the phenomena. Since the 1930s, residents of the Northwoods have used Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox landscape features to celebrate symbolically the region’s golden age of logging. These representations have evolved over the years to include both public and private landscape features. Given the level of permanence of many of the items as well as the authenticity, popularity, and attachment local residents express towards Paul and Babe, cultural landscape features of the lumberjack and his blue ox will continue to be seen as an integral component of the Northwoods’ regional identity. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES.........................................................................................................x LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF MODELS ......................................................................................................xiv LIST OF MAPS ............................................................................................................xv DEDICATION .............................................................................................................xvi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................ xvii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................1 Introduction.................................................................................................................1 Research Questions......................................................................................................4 Study Area...................................................................................................................5 Significance of Study...................................................................................................7 Personal Interest in Paul and Babe ...............................................................................8 Chapter Outlines........................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 2: OF WOOD AND AXE ...........................................................................15 Logging.....................................................................................................................16 Michigan ...............................................................................................................18 Wisconsin ..............................................................................................................20 Ontario ..................................................................................................................21 Minnesota..............................................................................................................22 Lumberjacks..............................................................................................................26 Issues and Concerns ..............................................................................................27 Daily Life...............................................................................................................29 Poem, Song, and Lore............................................................................................37 Final Thoughts...........................................................................................................41 CHAPTER 3: READING THE LANDSCAPE OF LEGENDS......................................42 Region.......................................................................................................................44 Importance of Region.............................................................................................44 Defining the Northwoods’ Boundaries ...................................................................46 Landscape..................................................................................................................51 The Landscape of Folklore.....................................................................................51 vi Landscape Nuclei...................................................................................................52 An Idealized Past ...................................................................................................54 Interpreting Landscape ..........................................................................................55 Mass Media and Perception of Place .....................................................................56 Models.......................................................................................................................57 Necessity for Ruins.................................................................................................57 Evolution of Tourist Areas .....................................................................................59 Methods.....................................................................................................................60 Internet Study.........................................................................................................61 Internet Study—Businesses................................................................................64 Paul Bunyan...................................................................................................65 Babe the Blue Ox ...........................................................................................66 Friends of Paul Bunyan ..................................................................................67 Internet Study—Statues......................................................................................68 Internet Study—Festivals...................................................................................71 Internet Study—Public Features.........................................................................73 Internet Study—Items Omitted...........................................................................74