Baudette in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Willie Walleye
Photographed by McGhiever, August 31, 2021
1. Willie Walleye marker
Willie Walleye, the 40-foot, 2½ ton ambassador for Lake of the Woods, has overlooked Baudette Bay since 1959. Arnold Lund's original idea was realized through the efforts of the Baudette Civic and Commerce Association. By April of 1958, Al Anderson had translated Lund's idea into a blueprint, and the concrete footing was poured soon after. Walter C. Olson, his son David, and Luvern Larson formed the frame of steel and wire mesh for the giant walleye. George Ayotte and Russell Halvorson plastered the skin, and Shirley T. Olson and Ruth Lyons applied the fiberglass. Dick Wilson painted the statue the next spring.
But what would Baudette's newest attraction be called? A ballot with five names was printed in the Baudette Region, and after several weeks of voting by the public, the name Willie Walleye was chosen. The statue was dedicated during the Walleye Days celebration of June 19-20, 1959. In the years since the dedication, Arnold Lund has been the leader in the maintenance and upkeep for Willie Walleye.
Taking a picture with Willie Walleye has been a favorite tradition for generations of tourists visiting Baudette.
Topics.
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Location. 48° 42.76′ N, 94° 35.914′ W. Marker is in Baudette, Minnesota, in Lake of the Woods County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Minnesota Route 11) and 1st Avenue NE, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baudette MN 56623, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Theodore H. Rowell (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Baudette Depot (approx. Ό mile away); Great Fire of 1910
Photographed by McGhiever, August 31, 2021
2. Willie Walleye and marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2021, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 415 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2021, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
