A large statue of a bearded lumberjack in a red cap stands on a wooden platform beside a billboard for the Port of Ranier, overlooking green grass, trees, and the clear blue sky of Minnesota near scenic Rainy Lake. | Rainy Lake, MN

Big Vic

A large statue of a bearded lumberjack in a red cap stands on a wooden platform beside a billboard for the Port of Ranier, overlooking green grass, trees, and the clear blue sky of Minnesota near scenic Rainy Lake. | Rainy Lake, MN

Big Vic stands at the entrance to Ranier as a symbol of the Rainy Lake area’s local history and strong community voice. While Voyageurs National Park is now a cherished part of the region, its creation in 1975 brought major changes for nearby landowners.

During the park’s formation, the use of eminent domain sparked debate among residents. Vic Davis became a prominent advocate for landowner rights and commissioned the Big Vic statue as a visible expression of those concerns. He later commissioned a second statue, Big Louie, often referred to as Big Vic’s “brother,” to continue drawing attention to the issue.

Today, Big Vic remains in Ranier after being purchased by the city for $1, while Big Louie found a home in Barnum, Minnesota. Together, the statues serve as conversation-starting landmarks that reflect an important chapter in local history and the community dialogue that helped shape the region we know today.

Ranier, MN

Visit Site

Related

A dark cave entrance is visible in a rocky cliff surrounded by green trees and foliage, with water from Rainy Lake at the base of the rocks in the foreground, nestled in scenic Minnesota. | Rainy Lake, MN

Bushyhead Mine Tunnel
A rusted metal swing bridge crosses Minnesota’s wide Rainy Lake, surrounded by green trees and houses along the distant shoreline under a clear blue sky. | Rainy Lake, MN

Cantilever Bridge
A wooden shelter with a metal frame covers informational display boards featuring black-and-white historical photos and text about Rainy Lake. The structure stands on a concrete base, with grass and a stone wall in the Minnesota background. | Rainy Lake, MN

Geocaching
A large white building with a red roof and striped red-and-white awnings, surrounded by trees near Rainy Lake, Minnesota. Warm light glows from the windows, and white outdoor chairs are scattered on the grass near a small entrance with steps. | Rainy Lake, MN

Kettle Falls Hotel
A beige museum building in Minnesota displays signs for the Koochiching Historical and Bronko Nagurski Museums. A large bronze football player statue stands by the entrance, surrounded by trees, a lawn, and views near Rainy Lake. | Rainy Lake, MN

Koochiching County Historical Society
A red brick wall mural in Minnesota reads "Discover Rainy Lake" and features a lake scene with a boat, birds, fish, and plants. An arrow points right, labeled "East on Hwy 11," while a leafy tree partially covers the left side. | Rainy Lake, MN

Murals
A lush wetland marsh with tall green reeds and cattails in the foreground, a calm Rainy Lake in the middle ground, trees on the right shoreline, and a partly cloudy Minnesota blue sky above. | Rainy Lake, MN

Oberholtzer trail
A brick building with green trim has a sign reading “Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau.” Flags fly in the background, and a digital marquee displays “Rainy Lake, Minnesota.” Flowers decorate the windowsills. | Rainy Lake, MN

Rainy Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau
A light-colored building with a peaked roof is surrounded by green trees near Minnesota's Rainy Lake. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting shadows on the paved walkway leading to the entrance. | Rainy Lake, MN

Rainy Lake Visitor Center