Entry No. 7 — the Portland file — filed under: giant sculpture
Paul Bunyan Statue
A 31-foot concrete-and-metal Paul Bunyan has loomed over this North Portland corner since 1959, built for Oregon's Centennial celebration. It was later moved 59 feet south and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a Kenton neighborhood landmark on the SW corner of N Denver Ave and N Interstate Ave.
The story
He was supposed to be temporary. Back in 1959, when Oregon threw itself a 100th-birthday party, builders poured concrete over a metal framework to erect a 31-foot-tall Paul Bunyan in Kenton. When the centennial crowds went home, nobody bothered to tear the giant down. Instead, he stayed anchored to the corner where North Denver Avenue meets North Interstate Avenue, axe in hand, looking over what was then the center of the local livestock trade.
He did move once—though only 59 feet to the south to clear space for street redesigns. Decades of damp Northwest drizzle eventually chipped away at his concrete skin, but neighborhood preservationists stepped up to patch his frame and repaint his iconic plaid shirt. In 2009, the giant officially secured a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, permanently securing his place on the North Portland sidewalk.
What it's like
Step off the train at the Kenton/N Denver MAX station and you're already standing directly underneath his boots. Visiting is completely free and ungated 24/7; you just walk right up on the concrete sidewalk, tilt your camera straight up, and take the shot. Once you've paid your respects, head south down North Denver Avenue to explore Kenton's unpretentious stretch of neighborhood cafes and pubs.
The move: Stand under the giant for a photo, then walk the low-key Kenton business district on N Denver Ave for a beer or coffee before catching the MAX at the Kenton/N Denver station right beside him.
- 📍 Kenton, North Portland
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: N Interstate Ave & N Denver Ave, Portland, OR 97217
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Bridgetown Forge — Walk a single block down the street from the giant to see modern bladesmiths swinging hammers in a working forge.
- Local Art Glass — Trade a 31-foot outdoor concrete sculpture for hot glassblowing inside an old historic pickle factory half a mile west.
- Portland Insectarium — Pair North Portland's giant human-shaped oddity with live jumping spiders and arachnids a short ride down Interstate Avenue.
- McMenamins Chapel Pub — Follow up a trip to Kenton's 1959 centennial legend with a local pint poured inside a converted 1930s mortuary chapel.
Good to know
How tall is the Paul Bunyan statue?
The statue stands 31 feet tall and is constructed of concrete poured over a steel frame.
Is it free to visit?
Yes, completely free. It stands on a public sidewalk at a corner intersection.
How do I get there using public transit?
Take the MAX Light Rail directly to the Kenton/N Denver Ave station. The statue stands immediately beside the platform.
When was the statue built?
It was built in 1959 for the Oregon Centennial celebration and later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · savingplaces.org
last checked: 2026-07-20