Park Rapids in Hubbard County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Fuller's Tackle Shop

— Park Rapids History Trail —

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

1. Fuller's Tackle Shop Marker

Inscription. Members of the Fuller family maintained a tackle shop in this building. Their fishing contest, and the Golden Books they distributed nationwide, made Park Rapids a destination for anglers. Crowds came to peer at fresh fishing contest entries displayed, on ice, in the store's front window.

Erected by City of Park Rapids, Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Sports.

Location. 46° 55.292′ N, 95° 3.591′ W. Marker is in Park Rapids, Minnesota, in Hubbard County. It is on Main Avenue South south of 1st Street West (Minnesota Route 34), on the left when traveling south. Marker is attached to the storefront of Gilk's clothing store. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 Main Avenue S, Park Rapids MN 56470, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

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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 Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Park Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop's Department Store (within shouting distance of this marker); This Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Park Rapids Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Auditorium (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Park Rapids Post Office (about 700 feet away); Tourism (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rice Flour Mill Grindstones (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Park Rapids.

Also see . . . Fuller's Tackle Shop. From the Park Rapids History Trail

Frank Fuller and his son Earl owned a hardware store in Park Rapids in the early twentieth century. As tourism increased, the Fullers began selling more and more fishing gear to tourists eager to try their luck. In 1915, Fuller's began what
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

2. Fuller's Tackle Shop Marker at the far right of Gilk's storefront
would be the most successful promotion in their history - one that would put Park Rapids on a national stage.

The Fuller's fishing contest, and the Golden Books they produced and distributed across the nation, made Park Rapids a destination for competitive anglers. At the peak of its popularity, Fuller's received 4,000 contest entries and printed 40,000 copies of the book.

During the season, fish caught at local lakes and rivers could be brought to Fuller's for official measurement and entrance in the contest. Contest results, published in the year's Golden Book, were distributed to entrants in late winter. It noted sizes, quantities of fish, and fishing locations, allowing tourists to plan their trips to maximize their sporting potential...

Between 1969 and 1979, the store even boasted a large bass sculpture on the roof. The store closed in 1984 and the contest ended two years later. By then, Fuller's had left its mark on Park Rapids and on the sport of fishing.

(Submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.