Statue of Paul Bunyan, Concrete statue in Kenton, Portland, United States.
The Statue of Paul Bunyan is a concrete sculpture located at the intersection of North Interstate and Denver Avenue, rising approximately 31 feet tall. The figure wears a red plaid shirt and holds an axe, with metal components reinforcing its structure.
The statue was built in 1959 to commemorate Oregon's 100th anniversary during a regional exposition. It emerged as part of the centennial celebrations and quickly became a recognized landmark in the Kenton neighborhood.
The figure is Paul Bunyan, the giant lumberjack of American folklore. The statue was part of the "Historic Kenton" street exhibit at the 1959 centennial exposition, and the Kenton Businessmen's Association paid $2,500 for it, hoping to keep it as an information stand for tourists after the 100-day fair.
The monument sits within walking distance of the Kenton/Denver TriMet Yellow Line station, making public transportation access straightforward. Visitors can also drive and use street parking options nearby.
The statue was meant to be removed after the 100-day centennial exposition, but state representatives persuaded the Kenton businessmen to keep it as an information stand for tourists. The nearby Kenton Machine Works built its iron frame, and the sculptors were Victor A. Nelson and his son Victor R. Nelson.
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