Located in the lake-studded west-central part of the state, Alexandria has been around for about 124 years. If we go a few years farther back, a runestone supposedly left behind by Viking explorers in 1362 (!) was unearthed by a farmer named Olaf Ohman in 1898. Known as the Kensington Runestone, this is a very controversial slab of rock in the this part of the USA. At the end of Alexandria's historic main street sits a colossal statue of a Viking called "Big Ole." Big Ole sports a too-short tunic, holds a long spear, and a combination sign/shield proclaiming Alexandria to be the "Birthplace of America." Columbus, Shmumumbus.