Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Loading...
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
BBQ shrimp braised in beer are a popular menu item.
High Hat Cafe
The pastries at Lagniappe Bakehouse are worth waking up for.
Lagniappe Bakehouse
Peter Vazquez has been quietly making a name for himself for years.
The Appetite Repair Shop
Ōmori Nori Vending Machine
Parkway Bakery and Tavern has been slinging these sandwiches since 1929.
Parkway Bakery and Tavern
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
You could probably take some of that stuff out.
Dear Atlas: How Do I Pack Light for a Long Trip?
Ripples in the land are remnants of the field walls that once held rows of native sugarcane and sweet potatoes.
Unearthing the Mysteries of Hawai'i's Ancient Agriculture
Petrified Forest National Park.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Oregon Portland Paul Bunyan Statue

Paul Bunyan Statue

This stoic, if derpy, giant stands as a monument to Oregon's statehood and the novelty culture of yesteryear.

Portland, Oregon

Added By
Annie
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Ctapley99 / Atlas Obscura User
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
Paul Bunyan Statue   Jason McHuff on Flickr
Paul Bunyan Statue   Cacophony on Wikipedia
Paul Bunyan Statue   Jason McHuff on Flickr
May 2025   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
May 2025   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
May 2025   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
May 2025   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
May 2025   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
May 2025   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
May 2025   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
May 2025   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

There are countless Paul Bunyan figures dotting the American landscape from the heyday of Route 66, but there are none quite like the smiling giant of Portland, Oregon, which was custom built as a monument to Oregon's statehood.

Built in 1959, the statue deviates from the standard "muffler men" of the era which were generally molded fiberglass figures of the same type. The Bunyan that was erected in the Portland neighborhood of Kenton was a custom created figure made of concrete surrounding a metal frame. The 31-foot-tall lumberman was created to mark the 100-year anniversary of Oregon's statehood as part of the Centennial Exposition and International Trade Fair. He holds a tall axe and is painted with a goofy grin plastered across his face. A far more permanent calling than any of the usual advertising giants that were created along Route 66.

This permanence shows through today as the figure continues to stand proudly on its street corner home. The figure has been refurbished a number of times over the years and still looks as bright and ready to live out some myths as it did in its conception. And judging by his slightly ridiculous expression, he is idiotically happy to do so.

Related Tags

Paul Bunyan Statues

Know Before You Go

The statue is next to the bank, on the opposite side from the parking lot.

Community Contributors

Added By

lepainperdu

Edited By

Kiri the Unicorn, Martin, Sun, EricGrundhauser...

  • Kiri the Unicorn
  • Martin
  • Sun
  • EricGrundhauser
  • breaingram
  • ccesare
  • Ctapley99

Published

March 10, 2015

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Bunyan_Statue
  • http://dguides.com/portland/attractions/historical-and-cultural/paul-bunyan-statue/
Paul Bunyan Statue
8458 Pacific Hwy W
Portland, Oregon, 97217
United States
45.583832, -122.686622
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Paxton Gate PDX

Portland, Oregon

miles away

Flutter

Portland, Oregon

miles away

Briz Loan & Guitar

Vancouver, Washington

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Portland

Portland

Oregon

Places 61
Stories 12

Nearby Places

Paxton Gate PDX

Portland, Oregon

miles away

Flutter

Portland, Oregon

miles away

Briz Loan & Guitar

Vancouver, Washington

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Portland

Portland

Oregon

Places 61
Stories 12

Related Stories and Lists

10 Places to Get to Know Paul Bunyan

List

By Roxanne Hoorn

Related Places

  • Paul Bunyan is very much a local landmark.

    Cheshire, Connecticut

    Paul Bunyan Muffler Man

    A 26-foot-tall fiberglass American legend stands proudly here.

  • Paul Bunyan & Babe. Visitor Center in background.

    Rumford, Maine

    Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox

    A larger-than-life dedication to the famous lumberjack and his loyal ox.

  • Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox, Bemidji

    Bemidji, Minnesota

    Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox

    These crudely shaped folk giants may be the the second most photographed statues in the U.S.

  • Paul Bunyan Statue, Bangor

    Bangor, Maine

    Paul Bunyan Statue

    This handsome giant is said to mark the birthplace of the mythical woodsman and even had a cameo in a Stephen King novel.

  • The Ernst Thälmann Monument

    Berlin, Germany

    Ernst Thälmann Monument

    A massive relic of the communist era of Berlin.

  • Metz, France

    Statue of the Prophet Daniel on the Metz Cathedral

    A neo-gothic statue modeled on German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II, which had its distinctive mustache shaved off by Nazis in World War II.

  • Sherlock Holmes Statue

    London, England

    Sherlock Holmes Statue

    This tribute to the fictional detective stands at the famous literary character's address.

  • James Brown Statue in James Brown Plaza

    Augusta, Georgia

    James Brown Plaza

    A towering tribute to the Godfather of Soul.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.