History :
The black duck, symbol of the city, has had its place in the community for many years. Ollie Jamtass, several area men, and CCC volunteers built the original black duck in the 1930's. At that time, it was Main Streets big attraction. This duck appeared in many state parades, winning first place in the 1937 Aquatenial Parade.

According to a story entitled, "The Black Duck my Papa Made", by Este Thompson Graf, her father Olaf Thompson was commissioned in 1942 to build a new duck of cement to stand as a symbol in the little town square. This was to replace the prior one that had disintegrated through time. The original black duck now sits next to the Fire Hall in downtown Blackduck.