World's Largest Pelican Sculpture, world record in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

February 20, 2024

Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, United States--"Pelican Pete", a pelican sculpture constructed which was built in 1957 from concrete and plaster at the base of the Mill Pond dam on the Pelican River in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, stands 15.4-foot (4.7 m) tall, thus setting the world record for being the World's Largest Pelican Sculpture, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"Pelican Rapids is a city in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,577 at the 2020 census. Pelican Rapids was platted in 1872, and named for the rapids on the Pelican River. A post office has been in operation at Pelican Rapids since 1872. Pelican Rapids was incorporated in 1882. (Wikipedia)

"Local landmarks include "Pelican Pete", a sculpture constructed beside the river in 1957 that is claimed to be the world's largest statue of a pelican. It stands 15.4-foot (4.7 m) tall and is constructed from concrete and plaster. A survey of the state's architecture published by the University of Minnesota Press characterizes Pelican Pete as "An effective programmatic advertisement for the town, just eye-catching and outrageous enough to attract considerable attention."

In 2007, for the fiftieth anniversary of Pelican Pete's installation, the town launched a painted statue public art project wherein about three dozen smaller, 4-foot (1.2 m) pelican sculptures were placed around town and decorated by local artists."

"Pelican Pete, the large statue that has watched over the Pelican River in downtown Pelican Rapids since the late 1950s, took flight on Wednesday, Jan. 4, as workers prepped the area for removal of a dam," the InForum says.

"Pete's "flight" involved a crane operated by contractors, and the statue landed a few blocks away in a spot where he might remain for the duration of the dam removal project, according to City Administrator Lance Roisum.

"Once the dam is removed, it will be replaced with a set of rapids created by the installation of boulders, a project that will allow fish to traverse that stretch of the Pelican River safely, said Roisum, who added that the dam project is being handled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources."

"The world’s tallest pelican – known as Pelican Pete – was built in 1957 at Pelican Rapids in Minnesota, USA. It is 4.7 metres tall.

"The Pelican Rapids local Jody Bowers said tourists came to the town of 2,500 people to visit the lakes and not specifically the giant pelican," The Guardian says.

"Bowers said local residents dressed Pelican Pete up for winter. “They put a hat on him and scarf,” she said. The landmark was always centre stage during the town’s art in the park summer festival in July, Bowers said."

"The World's Largest Pelican stands at the base of the Mill Pond dam on the Pelican River, right in downtown Pelican Rapids. It is 15 1/2 feet tall, built in 1957," the Destination Small Town says.

"Water spews from the dam in a continuous stream, making this statue somehow more dynamic than others we've seen in Minnesota. Kids are fishing for Sunnies, bluefish and Northerns around the base of the Pelican and along the opposite shore."

"The City of Pelican Rapids, located in the northwest part of Otter Tail County, was located close to a trail leading from the Minneapolis- St. Paul area, about 200 miles to the southeast, through St. Cloud and Alexandria, to Fargo-Moorhead, which are 45 miles to the northwest. The railroad arrived in Pelican Rapids in 1882, a branch line from Fergus Falls, which was to continue northward. This never happened, however, and the line remained a "dead end" until its removal some 100 years later. The city was incorporated in 1883," the City of Pelican Rapids says.

"Originally the area depended on agriculture, with numerous small farms dotting the countryside. Over the years, the dependence on agriculture has broadened to include processing of farm products, notably turkeys. At the same time, growth has been enjoyed in tourism and a variety of other industry; heavy manufacturing, electronics, wood products, precision machining, etc.

"The opening of Maplewood State Park six miles east of Pelican Rapids provided additional growth in tourism. Visitors can view the "World's Largest Pelican," a 250-ft. steel and concrete pedestrian suspension bridge, and two city parks connected by the walkway: E.L. Peterson Memorial Park and Sherin Memorial Park. Park facilities include a junior Olympic-size swimming pool, a picnic shelter, campground and shower house, plus a playground."

"Pelican Pete, Pelican Rapids’ most famous riverfront landmark, was placed atop his new perch on Wednesday after a dam along the Pelican River was removed and replaced with a graded rapids system," the Lakes Area Radio says.

"The $2.7 million dollar Pelican Rapids project was one of several projects spearheaded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources designed at replacing aging, out of service, dams along waterways, which will allow fish more natural spawning opportunities upstream for many species.

"The project also received grant funding to install walking paths around 15-foot-tall Pete, so visitors will have even better access to the “world’s largest pelican. Pelican Pete’s overlook has been a tourist destination fixture along the Pelican River since 1957."

Photos: World's Largest Pelican Sculpture, world record in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
(1-6) Facebook/Pelican Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

(7) Photo by Scott Backstrom 2004/Wikipedia