James McGillivray, Paul Bunyan Author
Posted by: 
3inaTree
N 44° 25.233 W 083° 20.481
17T E 313614 N 4921250
The gravesite of James McGillivray, the author of the first published story of Paul Bunyan.
Waymark Code: WMCW68
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 10/17/2011
Views: 6
The mighty legend of Paul Bunyan was first set in print in August of 1906 in Oscoda, Michigan. The story where he first appears is called "The Round River Drive" and was written by James McGillivray who based it off of the exploits of a logger who used to work in the forests in upper Michigan.
While working for the H. M. Loud Company the author heard fireside stories about a lumberjack named Fabian Fornier who was renouned for his exploits. Later as an editor of the Oscoda Press newspaper, McGillivray sat down and wrote and published his version. It later reappeared in expanded form in the July 24th, 1910 edition of the Detroit News
Other authors such as William Laughhead would expand the stories and the fame of Paul Bunyan turning him into the folklore legend that we all have come to know.
Special thanks to cacher W8NC for placing the GC1230J "Paul Bunyan" cache that led us to this remarkable place.
Description:
James McGillivray was a lumberjack and later newspaper editor in Oscoda Michigan in the upper Lower Peninsula.
He is credited with assembling and printing the first published tales of Paul Bunyan.
He and his family are buried in the picturesque Pinecrest Cemetery off of River road in Oscoda.
Date of birth: 01/01/1873
Date of death: 01/01/1952
Area of notoriety: Literature
Marker Type: Headstone
Setting: Outdoor
Fee required?: No
Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Not listed
Web site: Not listed
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