Westwood in Lassen County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Paul Bunyan

The Legend Lives On

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2012

1. Paul Bunyan Marker

Inscription. Paul Bunyan has been the hero of lumberjack whopper tales that were handed down for generations in the camps of White Pine lumbermen in the north eastern forests of America. In 1913 the Walker family who owned the Red River Mill in Minnesota, moved their operations out west. It was a big job carving a mill and town out of the northern Sierras – they needed all the help they could get – so they brought Paul Bunyan with them. Never before known outside the haunts of the logging camp, the exploits of the giant lumberjack were first recorded in print for the Walkers by W.B. Laughead from 1914-1944. In addition to promoting Westwood, and Paul Bunyan Pine Products, the publication of these small books made Paul and his friends: Babe the Blue Ox, Sour Dough Sam, Brimstone Bill, Johnny Inkslinger, Big Ole and Sport (the reversible dog) national household favorites – thus establishing an American mythology. In 1946 the Walkers sold the mill to Fruit Growers Supply Co. who continued to operate the mill until it’s shut down in 1956. In the last publication of “Paul Bunyan and his Big Blue Ox" (1944) Paul is

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quoted as saying “I’m not saying goodbye, I’m still on the job for Red River and maybe I’ll be serving you again some time in the future”. We celebrate the return of Paul Bunyan to his home town on this 75th anniversary of Westwood. May his destiny be to continue fascinating children and entertaining adults – for it is only in the hearts of people that legends can truly live.

Dedicated July 9, 1988
Westwood Area Chamber of Commerce
Sponsors Walker Family • The Adolph Coors Co. and D & L Distributing • Fruit Growers Supply Co. • de Martimprey Family

The statue was carved by Burlwood Industries from a Redwood log 22 ft. long, 12 ft. diameter: weighing 28,000 lbs and over 1000 years old.

Erected 1988 by Westwood Area Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 40° 18.12′ N, 121° 0.065′ W. Marker is in Westwood, California, in Lassen County. It is on 3rd Street (County Highway A21) east of Birch Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker

Paul Bunyan Marker and Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2012

2. Paul Bunyan Marker and Statue

is at or near this postal address: 207 3rd Street, Westwood CA 96137, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Modoc Plateau

and in the Shasta Cascade.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lassen Trail - Westwood (within shouting distance of this marker); Westwood Firehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Westwood (within shouting distance of this marker); Red River Bakery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boardinghouses (about 700 feet away); Westwood Club (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chuck’s Railroad Room (approx. 0.2 miles away); Westwood Masonic Lodge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westwood.

Also see . . . Paul Bunyan - American Folklore. Paul Bunyan is a larger-than-life folk hero who embodies frontier vitality. He is a symbol of might, the willingness to work hard, and the resolve to overcome all obstacles. He was popularized by newspapermen across the country in 1910 and has been a part of the American culture ever since.

Paul Bunyan Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2012

3. Paul Bunyan Statue

(Submitted on June 22, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Additional commentary.
1. Paul's Birthplace
This is a great synopsis of the legend of Paul Bunyan! Paul actually came to life originally in the French logging camps of southeastern Canada in stories told orally around campfires, after a hard day's work. W. Laughead was the first to write the stories down and organize them into "storybooks", complete with his original artwork. He also created several original stories about Paul, Babe, and friends.

— Submitted May 1, 2013, by Patricia Church of Westwood, California.

Additional keywords. folklore

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,039 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 22, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.