by Denise Calaman

Created on: December 20, 2011

Throughout the world every society has music, legends, beliefs and tall tales that have remained part of its history. In the United States Americans have many folk heroes. Some played a very influential part in the history of the United States while others may be imaginary but their stories have been told for generations. Here are just some of America’s most popular and influential folk heroes that Americans have enjoyed learning about for many years.

Johnny Appleseed

Johnny Appleseed is one of America’s most popular folk heroes and he was indeed a real person. He was born John Chapman in Massachusetts in 1774.   Since he was a young boy John Chapman had been known as a kind person and interested in conservation. When he was of working age Chapman’s first job was as an orchardist, working specifically with apples. At the age of 18 he got the urge to head west. History can trace Chapman from Massachusetts to Wilkes-Barre, PA where he worked as a nurseryman and then to Pittsburgh. 

History depicts Johnny Appleseed as walking across the country and spreading seeds randomly as he walked along but instead he actually planted apple nurseries. He took great care in his plantings, building supports for saplings and placing fences around his plantings. Much of his work took place in Northern Ohio. His compassion extended to more than just apples. Appleseed loved animals including insects. He was one of America’s first great naturalists.

Remarkably it is reported that there is one surviving tree that was planted by Johnny Appleseed in Nova, Ohio. If this is true, the tree would be more than 167 years old. 

Paul Bunyan

The world’s most famous lumberjack is said to be a giant. Gigantic could also be used to describe the tale used to tell his story. It seems that many different northern regions throughout North America claim to be the originators of the tales of Paul Bunyan and his big blue ox named Babe. 

Bunyan is a mythical legend; there never was a real Paul Bunyan but perhaps his creation is the culmination of many different lumberjacks throughout the North Woods. It is said that five storks had to carry him to his parents’ home after his creation. He grew very fast and at just a few months of age, he started taking a saw to different pieces of furniture in his house. 

Bunyan’s best friend was Babe, a gigantic blue ox of enormous strength.  

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