POPULAR ATTRACTIONS
BIG OLE
One of the most eye-catching “landmarks” in Alexandria is Big Ole – a Viking statue in Big Ole Central Park at the north end of Broadway. The idea for the statue began in January 1964 when North Star World’s Fair Corporation in Osseo began working on an addition to the Minnesota display for the New York World’s Fair. The display was to feature the Kensington Runestone in an animated scene titled “Minnesota, Birthplace of America.” The new item to coincide with this display was a 28-foot, four-ton Viking statue. Big Ole was completed by Gorden Displays of Minneapolis in April 1965 and transported to New York for the World’s Fair. He arrived in Alexandria in December 1965. Big Ole most recently underwent repairs and a new paint job, including new beard color, in 2016.
BRANDON HISTORY CENTER
The Brandon History Center is located in the historic Brandon Auditorium, built in 1936. Its purpose is to collect, preserve and display articles, pictures and memorabilia from Brandon, Millerville and the surrounding area for future generations. It also assists in the preservation of the Historic Brandon Auditorium and other local historic sites. (320) 834-4505; www.brandonmn. com (click on history center link under organizations).
DOUGLAS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Douglas County Historical Society was organized in 1976 to discover, preserve and disseminate the history of the county and its people. It is housed in the historic home of Knute Nelson. Nelson was elected to the Minnesota Legislature, served two terms in U.S. Congress, was the state’s first foreignborn governor and served in the U.S. Senate for 28 years. He died in 1923. In 1978, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1987 became the society’s headquarters. The society includes a research library, church, school, cemetery and family history records, microfilm of census records and area newspapers. It has slide shows of area towns, oral histories, photo collections, vintage clothing/uniform collection and more. (320) 762-0382; www.dchsmn.org PAGE 38 | GUIDE TO DOUGLAS COUNTY 2021
EVANSVILLE HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
The Evansville Historical Foundation was founded by Alf Thompson with the purpose of preserving the history of Evansville and the surrounding community for current and future generations to enjoy. The archives provide a wealth of information on the history of Evansville, as well as a wonderful resource for those interested in genealogical research. The foundation includes several buildings, including the Thompson house, Johanson house, country schoolhouse, log cabin, root cellar, pioneer church, prayer chapel, town hall and Johnson house. (218) 948-2010; evansvillehistory.org.
KENSINGTON RUNESTONE
It’s a controversy more than 100 years in the making: Did an immigrant Swedish farmer find a buried rock in 1898 that contained an ancient runic message carved by Viking explorers 100 years before Columbus landed in America? Or is the whole thing a hoax, perpetrated by the farmer or some other prankster? You can view the controversial stone at the Runestone Museum, 206 Broadway in Alexandria. A large replica of the Kensington Runestone is located in a small park at the east end of Sixth Avenue in Alexandria.
