Minnesota’s Iconic Mermaid Is Making a Splashy Comeback

Mermaids, the mythical half-human, half-fish creatures that have captivated humans for centuries, are poised to make a big comeback in 2025, in Minnesota, no less.

While these enchanting figures are usually tied to tales of the sea, one particular mermaid has been a landlocked legend for decades.

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Perched high above Highway 10 in Mounds View, she stood as a beloved icon for over 50 years. The 30-foot-tall mermaid statue became a familiar sight for drivers and locals alike, serving as both a landmark and a piece of nostalgia. But in 2018, the statue’s time on her perch came to an end.

Structural issues caused her base to rot, making her a safety hazard. “She was becoming more of a hazard than anything,” Jordan Reed, executive chef at the Mermaid Entertainment & Event Center told WCCO TV.

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The decision was made to take her down and store her safely, but her story didn’t end there. Fast forward to 2023, when Mounds View’s mayor, Zach Lindstrom, spearheaded efforts to bring her back to life.

Through a unique agreement, the statue was sold to the city for $1, with plans to sell her back for the same price after her restoration.

Earlier this month, the mermaid received Historical Landmark status, ensuring a dedicated restoration fund could be created. The process to repair her will involve stabilizing her structure, repainting her original colors, and repairing old damage.

The city is working with Mike's Commercial Painting out of New Ulm for the restoration, they have some experience working on giant mythical statues, they restored Blue Earth's Jolly Green Giant statue in 2015.

The city is asking for anyone with old color photos of the statue to share them, as they want to ensure that the Mermaid is repainted in its original colors. The project is expected to be completed in 2025, but no decision has been made where the Mermaid will go once restored.

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