South Dakota’s Mr. Bendo and Minnesota’s Paul Bunyan Are Bros

It turns out that South Dakota's Giant Mr. Bendo and Minnesota's Big Paul Bunyan are long-lost brothers! Who knew?

Mr. Bendo of Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pictured left) may be closely related to Paul Bunyan of Brainerd, Minnesota (pictured right).

Get our free mobile app

Fiberglass Giants and Roadside Attractions

Mr. Bendo stood out in front of Buck’s Mufflers in Sioux Falls on the corner of S. Cliff Avenue and East 12th Street since 1963.

That is until June of 2018 when Mr. Bendo moved to Automotive Brake and Exhaust on South Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls.

American Giants in South Dakota and Minnesota

If you've ever been to the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota in the last 50 years you've probably seen Paul Bunyan standing out on Highway 371 at the Paul Bunyan Amusement Center.

That is until he moved out to Paul Bunyan Land and This Old Farm on Highway 18 east of Brainerd.

It turns out that Bendo and Bunyan are brothers made in the same place...International Fiberglass of Venice, California.

Take a look at the resemblance...They are both 18 feet tall, same hips, the same shoulders, same kung fu grip.

Does anyone know if Mr. Bendo ever had a Blue Ox?

Here are 5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Mr. Bendo:

1. The former home of the 18-foot-tall Mr. Bendo was at Buck's Mufflers in Sioux Falls on the corner of S. Cliff Avenue and East 12th Street.
2. Mr. Bendo had been at Buck's since 1963.
3. On St. Patty's Day 2010 Mr. Bendo was busted up pretty bad when a drunk driver missed the corner turn and ran square into the big fella's right leg.
4. A Mr. Bendo support group raised funds to help get him back to full health by selling t-shirts stating: All profits/kickbacks go towards Mr. Bendo's medical bills. This fundraiser is approved by Jerry at Buck's Muffler.
5. Mr. Bendo has brothers in Chicago, IL. & Indianapolis, IN.  In 2013 the Chicago Mr. Bendo blew down in a storm and someone walked off with his head.