The World's Largest Pelican

The World's Largest Pelican. . , Most Photographed Site , The "world's largest pelican" is no doubt the most photographed object in Pelican Rapids and continues to draw attention at the base of the Mill Pond Dam along the Pelican River in downtown Pelican Rapids., The 15½-foot steel and plaster symbol of Pelican Rapids was erected in 1957 at the urging of civic leader Truman Strand, but it wasn't until much later that the big pelican was named "Pete" in a contest sponsored by the Pelican Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce., Volunteers and Craftsmen , The local Chamber of Commerce had talked about creating a pelican symbol for many years before plans were made for the huge undertaking. Truman Strand was named to spearhead its construction., Local metalworkers Ted and Anton Resset made 5:1 scale drawings from a pelican that had died of injuries and had been stuffed and mounted for display. Using cardboard from Strand's hardware store, they made a life-size model of the pelican and placed it near the waterfall to determine the dimensions and placement of this concrete base. The Ressets constructed the steel framework for the pelican in their welding shop and finished shaping the bird using wire netting., Volunteers under the direction of Gilman Resset poured the concrete base for the pelican, using more than 120 bags of cement. The concrete was dumped into wheelbarrows, wheeled by hand down the bank of the river and poured into the form for the base. Volunteers completed the job in three hours. Lake Region Electric Cooperative's boom truck transported the huge framework of the pelican from the Ressets' blacksmith shop to the concrete base along the river., The Ressets considered covering the frame with then-new fiberglass, but decided to use plater to give it a realistic appearance. Alvin Anderson, a local tradesman, hand-plastered the bird, which was later painted white with an orange bill and orange feet. The total bill for the new pelican was $1200., Pelican Profits , The Chamber of Commerce sold 5-cent photo postcards of the big pelican for many years, using the profits from the sale of thousands of postcards for maintenance of the structure. The City of Pelican Rapids has since assumed ownership of the pelican., Pelican Birthday Party , To acknowledge the pelican's 25th birthday, the community threw a party for the pelican on a hot summer day in 1982. A crowd estimated at over 700 celebrated with music, ice cream and a huge birthday cake - "the world's largest!", 2007 marked Pelican Pete's 50th birthday and the community again hosted a party to honor the beloved statue., Symbol of Pelican , Today the big pelican symbol evokes a wide variety of memories. Some remember carefree childhood days spent fishing below the dam. Others recall stopping to take photos with guests from afar. Some keep an eye on the big bird daily, estimating the river's water level by checking to see if Pete's feet are wet or dry., The words of the man behind the local landmark reflect the thoughts of many. Truman Strand said, "The Chamber of Commerce had a good idea in building the pelican. The pelican is part of all of us, no matter how long we've lived here.", Captions: , The Mill Pond Dam and Frazee Mill prior to the installation of the pelican. , The steel frame was rapped in wire, hand-plastered and painted white with orange bill and feet. , World's Largest Pelican Photograph by Leonard Zierke, Sr. , Pelican Pete withstands winter snowstorms and frost from the ever-flowing Pelican River. Photograph by Wayne Runningen, 2005. , Photograph by John Foster, USFWS-Digital Library System., May 2007. Designed by Jennifer Lintelmann Design and Graphics.