Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park centers on the historic Pequot Fire Lookout Tower, a 100-foot tower atop a tall hill with views up to 20 miles across the Pequot Lakes area. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the tower is significant to the history of the Minnesota Department of Conservation Division of Forestry as one of the most important towers in the Brainerd Ranger District. It protected resources critical to one of Minnesota's most important recreation areas and helped safeguard timber resources vital to the area's commercial forestry and local economy. Constructed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the tower stands within a landscape of park trails, pine, oak, maple, birch, and aspen forest, with wildflowers in the warm season and vivid autumn color. The park is also named for Paul M. Thiede, who served four terms on the Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners and, during his last term in 2018, led the effort and played an instrumental role in the county's acquisition of the fire tower and surrounding property. A U.S. Air Force veteran, former newspaper owner and editor, University of Dayton graduate with a B.A. in communications, and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, he also served on numerous boards, commissions, and civic organizations, was named one of the ten Outstanding Legislators in America while serving on the national board of directors of a state legislators' organization, and held roles as assistant majority leader and assistant minority leader. He and his wife Dee spent more than 35 years raising their eight children in Jenkins Township of Crow Wing County.