Ben Knebel's Historic Mailboat Route

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Ben Knebel delivered mail for 39 years without missing a day. Many people still remember waiting for the mailboat to come to their dock. And many also remember Ben’s friendly, “Is that right,” a response that was as much his signature as the familiar Mailboat.

The By-The-Way players, a group of talented actors lead by Darren Blanck, with one year of Byway performances already under their collective belts, will perform again this spring and summer 2008. (Performance schedule)

So many people in this area have memories of the Mailboat, Ben Knebel, and the feeling of those times gone by when all mail was snail mail. And some snail mail was more special than others because it was delivered at the dock.

Three years ago the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association submitted a grant request to the FHWA-National Scenic Byways Program to “bring back to life” the historic character of Ben Knebel, the mailboat route and the stories of the people of those times through the use of props and costumes, interpreters, and of course, an actual watercraft posing as the mailboat. This grant request represented a recommendation from the Byway’s Interpretive Plan, one of the Association‘s major planning documents.

In early March, 2006, the Byway Association was notified that the grant request for $50,700 had been approved. Of that amount, the federal government will fund $40,560. The remaining $10,140, known as the local match, comes from other sources.

A task group, along with support from the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is working with the Byway to promote understanding and enjoyment of this area's history. Throughout the summer of 2007, re-enactors presented Ben Knebel and the intertwining of his life with local history and happenings as brought to life by the talented area performers The By-The-Way Players, directed by Daren Blanck. Through stories, songs and anecdotes you're taken back to a simpler time when days passed at a slower pace - a summer day in 1947, as the mail boat arrives at the dock. The 2007 cast included Daren Blanck as Ben Knebel; Mike Sommerness as Alf, a traveling musician; Jocelyn Payonk as Flora, a teenager; Ralph DeWitt as George, a resort owner; Kimberly Kairies as Inga, a cook; Sylvie Gilman as Marge, a neighbor; Danae Anderson as Rose, a telephone operator; Chuck Nielsen as Slim, Ben's friend.

The Byway Association offers up a Bunyan-sized Thank You to the following for their time and support!

1. The Federal Highway Administration who funded the project in part.
2. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Handshake program for its funding.
3. Donors and members of the PBSBA, especially the businesses and individuals who comprise the "Group of 54" (one for each mile of the Byway).
4. Mike Morgan's family who purchased and donated use of the boat featured in storytelling peformances. The 16' Larson was made by Larson Boat Works in Little Falls, MN and is identical to the one Ben first used to deliver the mail.
5. An early task group member and Byway Board member, Steve Brann, nephew of Ben Knebel, along with other members of Ben's family who provided a wealth of information, photographs and fond memories of this remarkable man.
6. The dozens of individuals who willingly shared their stories about Ben Knebel and their lives and adventures in the Byway area. The stories presented would not have been possible without their generosity of time and spirit.

We're enjoying our second season of performances, and with your support we can continue to share these wonderfully entertaining stories. Hand in hand with you, the Byway Association brings this treasured piece of history to life for all to enjoy.

To contribute to the storytelling performances of the By-The-Way Players, drop your contribution into Ben's 'mailbag' after the performance or send your check (payable to PBSBA) to: PBSBA Mailboat, PO Box 401, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472.

If you wish to make an in-kind contribution of supplies or services or are interested in sponsoring a performance, send us an email and we'll contact you. Sponsorship amounts are:

1. $125 for a scheduled performance open to the public.
2. $250 for a performance added to the schedule and open to the public.
3. $400 for a private performace not open to the public.
   Sponsors are recognized from the stage at each performance.

For a schedule of performances click here.