Little Mermaid
Kimballton, Iowa
Since 1913, the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen harbor has been one of Denmark's most popular tourist attractions. The American town of Kimballton celebrates its Danish roots with this full size replica. Which isn't saying much, since the real Little Mermaid is, well . . . little.
Promoted as a "Little Bit of Denmark," the statue is in Mermaid Park, next to a half-sized replica windmill.
The Little Mermaid of Kimballton was sculpted out of fiberglass by a pair of California college students, and was installed in town in 1978. Even though she was moved indoors every winter, the elements took their toll. In late 2006, there were plans afoot to renovate the statue, which was a tad battered looking...
By 2008, The Little Mermaid had been recast in bronze, and is now visible all year long. She was rededicated, along with Mermaid Park's new fountain and landscaping, at the town's 125th anniversary celebration in June of that year.