There have been few characters of American folklore with the stature of Paul Bunyon. This legendary hero of lumber jacks throughout American possessed strength, speed, and skill that matched the vastness of North American.

According to legend, Paul Bunyan and his giant blue ox, Babe, left many a mark on the landscape, receiving credit for creating Puget Sound, the Grand Canyon, and the Black Hills, among others.

Some folklore experts have credited the French-Canadians for starting the tales. Others attribute the tales to a Western logging company during the early 20th century. Still others consider it a European import.

All agree, however, that Bunyan legend probably grew as the tales about him grew, bringing a new meaning to the term "tall story." Stories about Bunyan and Babe first circulated through the logging camps of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, where loggers first heard and then retold the fables, adding local or personal embellishments.

Paul Bunyan is featured as one of the American Folk Heroes on a block of four stamps issued in 1996. John Henry, Mighty Casey and Pecos Bill were also featured.