Attractions

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

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.

The Runestone Museum and Fort Alexandria are at 206 Broadway, Alexandria. Along with the famed Kensington Runestone, the museum holds exhibits on Native Americans, early immigrant history, a memorial/gun exhibit, wildlife exhibit and hands-on children’s area. Next to the museum stands Fort Alexandria, a nearly exact replica of a stockade built in 1862. The fort includes a general store and post office, log cabin, church, country school, blacksmith shop, washhouse, smokehouse, a 40-foot Viking ship and farm equipment from years gone by. (320) 763-3160; www.runestonemuseum.org

LEGACY OF THE LAKES MUSEUM

The Legacy of the Lakes Museum in Alexandria was formed in 1995 by local residents as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of antique and classic watercraft, resort memorabilia and sporting equipment used on Minnesota lakes. The museum first opened in 2004, with a new building constructed in 2006. Its name was changed to Legacy of the Lakes in 2016 as it celebrated its 10th anniversary. The museum celebrates area lake traditions and legacies and is committed to their preservation for future generations. (320) 759-1114; legacyofthelakes.org

OUR LADY OF THE HILLS

Our Lady of the Hills is a shrine of the Virgin Mary erected by a rural Millerville resident in response to answered prayers for healing. It overlooks the hill country near the border of Douglas and Otter Tail counties. The steel and cement statue stands 22 feet tall and weighs 4,500 pounds. It is located on Our Lady of the Hills Road northwest of Millerville.

The Osakis Area Heritage Center’s mission is to discover, preserve and share the history of the Osakis area. Located in the Osakis Information Center, 11 East Main St., the center includes a research collection of family files, cemetery maps, town maps, county histories, photo files, scrapbooks, high school and charter school yearbooks, microfilm and print copies of the Osakis Review newspaper. (320) 859-3777.

VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

A public space for celebration, and a quiet place for private reflection and healing, this park in Alexandria honors veterans of all branches of the United States Armed Forces, living or deceased, going back to the 19th century. It was dedicated in 2020.

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