International Falls in Koochiching County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Welcome to Smokey Bear Park
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2024
1. Welcome to Smokey Bear Park Marker
The Smokey Bear Statue is the largest of its kind in the country. The 26 foot replica of "Smokey," the national symbol of forest protection, was erected in 1953 as a project of Koochiching County's Keep Minnesota Green Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Landmarks • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.
Location. 48° 36.185′ N, 93° 24.513′ W. Marker is in International Falls, Minnesota, in Koochiching County. It is at the intersection of Voyageur Highway (U.S. 71) and 6th Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Voyageur Highway. The marker and Smokey Bear statue are located on the east side of Smokey Bear Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 6th Avenue, International Falls MN 56649, 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, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Route of the Voyageurs (within shouting distance of this marker); Bronko Nagurski (within shouting distance of this marker); Steamboats on the Rainy River / Welcome to Minnesota (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alexander Baker (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Village of Koochiching & International Falls (approx. 0.3 miles away); International Falls Passenger Rail
this page online
Also see . . . Big Smokey Bear (roadsideamerica.com).
Excerpt: The giant Smokey Bear in International Falls stands 26 feet tall and was unveiled on October 13, 1954, a little more than ten years after the original Bear was invented in World War II as a cartoon character to protect the nation's lumber resources from careless campfires. So why is Smokey Bear in frozen International Falls? Well, this is a thickly forested logging area, evidenced by the giant piles of sawdust outside of town. There are many lovely fishing and sporting resorts beyond the sawdust piles, and a stray match in the dry season could end it all.(Submitted on August 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2024
2. Smokey Bear Statue & Marker
Looking north from of Voyageur Highway (U.S. 71).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
