The week of January 27 to February 2, travel blog Roadside America featured Silver Bay’s Rocky Taconite as their “Sight of the Week”. Roadside America features over 15,000 “odd and hilarious travel destinations” in the United States and Canada, and boasts a 543.9K membership on their Facebook group, as well as having an app for iPhone.
Installed in October 1964, Rocky Taconite was designed by Dentist Otto Ringle, who had been raised near Bemidji and the famous Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues. Ringle, who had moved to Silver Bay in 1959 and was an active member of the community, successfully petitioned the town’s developer, the John W. Galbreath Co., for three things: a larger dental office, a laundromat, and a statue to draw visitors.
As president of the Silver Bay Jaycees, Ringle drew a sketch of what he wanted – a smiling, anthropomorphic taconite pellet wearing red boots. The Reserve Mining Company paid $500 for the statue of “Mr. Taconite” (he had yet to be named Rocky) to be made by Star Iron Works in Minneapolis, and donated a seven foot chunk of taconite as a pedestal.
Neil Forsberg and three other Star Iron employees spent nearly a year building the statue, working with few specifications except that the statue was to be made of iron. The John W. Galbreath Company appointed the area in front of the Silver Bay post office for the statue, and in February 1964, Mr. Taconite was first unveiled by the president of the Reserve Mining Company, J. William Bryant, at the Silver Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Second Annual Banquet. A contest was held beginning in April 1964 to find a name for Mr. Taconite. The name “Rocky Taconite” was suggested by Silver Bay resident Louis Stefanich, and Rocky was dedicated in October of that year by Dr. E.W. Davis, “The Father of Taconite”.
After attending the 1964 New York World’s Fair with his family, Otto Ringle noticed the popularity of bobbleheads. Following his suggestion, Ringle’s mother-in-law, Marie Benson, who was known for her crafts, carved a wax model of Rocky Taconite. Ringle made an impression of Benson’s model using dental tools, and Benson then cut open the impression, filled it, and baked it in her kitchen oven. Ringle’s children helped paint and finish the bobbleheads, which sold at the time for $1.00 as a fundraiser for Silver Bay.
Rocky Taconite was moved to his current, more visible location in 1990, and has since become a familiar, welcoming face to both Silver Bay residents and visitors. The Silver Bay Visitor’s Center and Bay Area Historical Society welcome local residents to stop by and learn more about the history of Silver Bay, and perhaps even acquire a piece or two of Rocky Taconite merchandise. Bay Area Historical Society hours are from Memorial Day to the end of September, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Stories of Silver Bay’s history are available online at bayareahistoricalsociety.com and volunteers are needed and can apply at bayareahistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
