If there’s a spot on the map that holds a place in my heart it’s Brainerd Minnesota and the Brainerd Lakes Area. My folks owned a cabin on a lake in the area and our family vacationed there for over 50 years. Now, I could write about the area’s many attractions that are memorable, but like a lot of communities in the country, Brainerd also has the distinction of having a notable landmark. Everyone who has ever driven through Brainerd knows that like New York City with the Empire State Building, Indianapolis with the 500 Hundred Miles Motor Speedway, or Seattle with the Space Needle, Brainerd has the Brainerd Water Tower….OK….Ok….Now, everyone might not know about the Brainerd Water Tower, but for those of us who have been to Brainerd, we know it’s an unforgettable landmark.
Built in 1918, the water tower was the 1st all concrete elevated water tank used by a municipality in the U.S. It’s been referred to as “Paul Bunyan’s Cup” or “Paul Bunyan’s Flashlight.” Over the years it’s been painted, repainted and stuccoed, a public water fountain was placed outside on the grounds of the structure, a statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox erected, and a Visitor’s Center and Chamber of Commerce building was built below the tower where tourist could get information about the area and take their pictures standing below “Paul Bunyan’s Cup.” I’m guessing there are thousands of snapshots in family photo albums that were taken of folks standing in front of the water tower over the years.
The Brainerd Lakes Area draws hundreds of thousands of vacationers year around to enjoy the 450 plus lakes in the surrounding countryside along with enjoying all the other area attractions. So, if you’re looking at a map and are planning a road trip in the Central Minnesota area, Look in the Fold of the Map, (I literally mean that, I don’t know if I’ve ever looked at a folding map that the Brainerd Lakes Area wasn’t in the fold of the map)….Ya Got to Stop and see Brainerd’s notable landmark….”Paul Bunyan’s Cup”….”Paul Bunyan’s Flashlight”….or as it might be known as….The Brainerd Water Tower. Enjoy the Journey!
Road Trip Journal 