International Falls in Koochiching County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Bronko Nagurski

1908-1990

— Bronko Nagurski Museum, International Falls, Minnesota —

Bronko Nagurski Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2024

1. Bronko Nagurski Marker

Inscription. College:
Minnesota 1927-29 • All-American 1929

Pro Team:
Chicago Bears 1930-37, 1943

College Football Hall of Fame:
Charter Member • Inducted in 1951

Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Charter Member • Inducted in 1963

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is November 3, 1908.

Location. 48° 36.202′ N, 93° 24.511′ W. Marker is in International Falls, Minnesota, in Koochiching County. It is at the intersection of 6th Avenue and 2nd Street, on the left when traveling north on 6th Avenue. The marker is mounted on the east wall of the Bronko Nagurski Museum, next to the Bronko Nagurski statue. 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 Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Route of the Voyageurs (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Smokey Bear Park (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 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Frances Canal 1878 (approx. half a mile away in Canada); Sports Stadium (approx. 0.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in International Falls.

Also see . . .
1. Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Canadian-born professional American football fullback and defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL). Renowned for his strength and size, Nagurski was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time World Heavyweight Champion. Nagurski was born in Rainy River, Ontario to a family of Ukrainian and Polish descent. His parents, "Mike"
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2024

2. Bronko Nagurski Statue
and Michelina Nagurski, were immigrants from the Galicia region of eastern Europe. His family moved to International Falls, Minnesota when he was five years old. Nagurski grew up working on his parents' farm and sawmill, delivering groceries for his father's grocery store. In his teens, he labored at nearby timbering operations, growing into a powerfully muscular six-footer.
Nagurski became a standout playing both tackle on defense and fullback on offense at the University of Minnesota from 1927 to 1929, selected a consensus All-American in 1929 and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in its inaugural year of 1951. His professional career with the Chicago Bears, which began in 1930 and ended on two occasions in 1937 and 1943, also made him an inaugural inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

(Submitted on August 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Life And Career Of Bronko Nagurski (By Ben Donahue).

Excerpt: Bronislau Nagurski was born on November 3, 1908 in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada. He and his family moved to International Falls, Minnesota when he was five. While
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2024

3. Bronko Nagurski Museum
Looking west from 6th Avenue at 2nd Street.
in grade school, Bronislau was given the nickname “Bronko” primarily because his teachers and classmates couldn’t pronounce his name. His ability to intimidate his foes with his size and strength is still talked about today. Not only was Nagurski’s size a factor on the gridiron, but it was also beneficial in his moonlighting career as a professional wrestler. Listed at 6’2” and approximately 225-235 pounds, he was larger than many of the league’s linemen. Whether he ran the ball or tackled the ball carrier, Nagurski was widely feared.
In his career, Nagurski was a three-time NFL champion, four-time First-team All-Pro, NFL rushing touchdowns leader in 1932, a member of the NFL’s 1930s All-Decade team and 75th Anniversary All-Time team. His Bears #3 jersey has been retired and he is on the list of the 100 greatest Bears of all time.
After stepping away from professional sports, Nagurski went back to International Falls and opened a gas station. An often repeated anecdote in the community was that Nagurski had the best repeat business in town. The reason was that Nagurski would fill up his customers’ gas tanks, then screw the gas lid on so tight that only Nagurski could unscrew it.

(Submitted on August 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

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 235 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.