Drop your axe and get down to Kenton for the

1st Annual Tall Paul Fest!

Saturday, September 9, 12pm–7pm

Downtown Kenton, N Willis Blvd (between N Brandon and N Denver)

Have a pint of Widmer Brothers limited edition "Tall Paul Lager" and root on the Timbers in the their live telecast game vs NYCFC.

And get this: Timber Jim is coming out of retirement to cut log slabs during the game!

Slabs will be available to buy in the Live Auction at half time along with other great items like Danner Boots, 107ist Limited Edition 5th Quadrant Timbers scarves, Miniature Paul Bunyan Dolls and more.

Top bidder in the live auction will remove the veil from the freshly restored 32ft tall giant right after the game.

All proceeds go to the restoration and preservation of this beloved city icon.

Widmer Logo

Restoration is in progress

Restoration of our beloved Paul Bunyan landmark has begun.
Kenton’s own Figure Plant is conducting the work and completion is expected in early September.

Initial restoration work has started, but fundraising isn't done. We still need your help.

Thank you

Major Donors

Sherwin Williams Logo Sherwin-Williams
Rodda Paint Logo Rodda Paint
Northwood Logo Northwood
Green Zebra Grocery Logo Green Zebra Grocery
Hampton Lumber Logo Hampton Lumber
Danner Logo Danner
Safway Scaffolding Logo Safway Scaffolding
Cambia Health Solutions Cambia Health Solutions
Widmer Brothers Brewing Logo Widmer Brothers Brewing

Business and Community Partners

Paint Paul Committee

And a big thanks to all of YOU for your generous donations and support. It is truly a community led effort and every single dollar you’ve given, friend you’ve told, paint can you’ve sponsored or donated to, and so much more is the heart of this effort. Together, we’re making this happen!

Make History

1959

The Paul Bunyan statue is commissioned by the Kenton Businessmen’s Club for the Oregon Centennial Exposition and International Trade Fair, held at the Pacific-International Livestock Exposition and former site of the Union Stock Yards (the area now known as Expo Center) between June 10th and September 17th.

City of Portland Archives, Oregon, Auditor’s Historical Records – Oregon Centennial, A2004-002.606, 1959.

Spring 1959

The statue was the vision of Victor R. Nelson and his son Victor A. Nelson, owners of Kenton Machine Works, and was constructed by neighborhood welders, ironworkers, and union plasterers.

Oregonian 5/10/59

The 31-foot tall statue is erected at the corner of N. Interstate (Hwy. 99 W) and N. Denver Avenue to welcome visitors to Oregon’s Centennial. Banners reading: “Kenton Invites You to Oregon’s 100th Birthday” are hung across Denver Avenue. The statue is set to stay for only 6 months.

Oregonian 5/20/59

1970s

The statue begins to show signs of wear.

City of Portland Archives, Oregon, Planning Neighborhood Photographs – Paul Bunyan Statue, A2011-028, 1975.

June 1985

Due to deterioration of the statue, Columbia Lions Club president C.R. “Bob” Hillyer states the statue must be maintained or torn down.

1985–1986

Restoration is completed by the Columbia Lions Club and Boy Scout Troop 71.

1999

Various volunteers and contributors complete another restoration project.

City of Portland Archives, Oregon, Planning Neighborhood Photographs – Paul Bunyan Statue, A2010-007.039, 1997.

2002

After 43 years standing in the same location, Paul Bunyan is moved 59.2 feet to its current location to make way for Tri-Met’s MAX Yellow Line. The move took 26 minutes.

Tri-Met Archives

January 2009

Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation votes unanimously in favor of placing the Paul Bunyan statue on the National Register of Historic Places. The statue is one of the last remaining remnants of the 1959 Centennial Exposition.

Summer 2009

Paul Bunyan receives a Portland Development Commission Community Livability grant for repainting.

Michael Russell, Oregonian

2016

Kenton Neighborhood Association and Kenton Business Association unanimously votes to make restoring Paul a 2016 priority and seeds the fundraising with $500

Summer 2017

Restoration begins.

Be a part of history, donate now.

What happened?

Determined during the initial investigation:

"The statue has four distinct surface failure issues:

  1. Parting (or separation) of the paint that was applied in 2009 from the previous paint treatment due to a chemical incompatibility.
  2. Parting of all paint layers (new and old) from the stucco surface likely due to moisture trapped in the stucco.
  3. Crazing and cracking of paint applied over previous stucco repairs.
  4. Degradation of paint surface due to moisture and UV exposure."

— David Fredrickson of Figure Plant

About your Donation

Non-profit: All donations are tax deductable. Kenton Action Plan is a 501(c)3 organization.

Your contribution goes to: A complete restoration of the statute including all necessary repair, anti-graffiti coating and repainting of the statue. Any additional funds will go toward beautification of the plaza where Paul stands.

Questions: Inquiries about this fundrasing effort or alternative funding (including in-kind donations, grants, and matching gifts) can be directed to paintpaulPDX@gmail.com.

Restoration organized by
Kenton Business Association
and
Kenton Neighborhood Association

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