Paul Bunyan is a fictional American folk hero, so his “birthplace” depends on which version of the legend is being told.
Commonly cited birthplace
Many retellings of the tall tales say that Paul Bunyan was born in Bangor, Maine, reflecting the story’s roots in lumberjack folklore from the northeastern United States. Bangor even displays a humorous “birth certificate” for him and promotes this version in local lore.
Other claimed birthplaces
Several towns, especially in the Upper Midwest, also claim to be Paul Bunyan’s birthplace or hometown, including Bemidji, Minnesota, and other communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. These competing claims highlight that Paul Bunyan is a legendary figure whose origins are mythic rather than historical.