Tiger Muskie - Nevis, Minnesota - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

This painted concrete sculpture, 30 feet 6 inches long, just over 11 feet high, is painted to look like a tiger muskie and is on display in Muskie Park in Nevis, Minnesota. Taxidermist Warren Ballard created this enormous fish to advertise his business, but it soon came to serve as a drawing card for tourists in the area. It was dedicated in 1950 by the state governor.

The muskie has been repainted at least three times. In 1991, a roof was built over it. The big fish originally had a mouthful of fearsome wooden teeth, but almost all have been removed. There is a picnic shelter behind the sculpture.

The sculpture is held aloft by painted supports, between which is a sign facing the street, proclaiming it the world's largest tiger muskie. The sign has also been repainted.

Inscription on sign:
NEVIS
MINN.
WORLDS LARGEST
TIGER MUSKIE

Inscription in mouth:
KEEP
OUT

Inscription on metal plaque on ground under fish's head:
WARREN P. BALLARD
CONSERVATIONIST-NATURALIST
WHOSE MEMORY
IS CHERISHED
NEVIS C & C

TITLE: Tiger Muskie ARTIST(S): Warren Ballard DATE: 1950 MEDIUM: Painted concrete over wire mesh CONTROL NUMBER: IAS MN000372 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Muskie Park Bunyan Trails Rd between Church St and Main St Nevis, Minnesota DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: Has been repainted since 1994. Body of fish now gold, deep green, and white, with black lines for detail. Belly of fish cream-colored. Fins are still reddish brown.

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Date Logged Log   03/17/2021 wildernessmama visited it