Skip to Main Content

Marlin Perkins.

Marlin Perkins Statue

Field review by the editors.

Carthage, Missouri

Marlin Perkins, pioneering TV personality of wildlife documentaries, was born in Carthage in 1902 and died somewhere else in 1986. This bronze sculpture of him, larger than life, was dedicated in April 1988.

Perkins is depicted as squatting, binoculars in hand, a posture that he assumed frequently on "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom." Besides being the host of that TV series, he was also known for punching a reporter in the face when he was asked if wildlife shows staged their footage, and for accompanying Sir Edmund Hillary in a Himalayan expedition to find the Abominable Snowman.

Marlin Perkins Statue.

The plaque under the statue quotes Shakespeare: "... Nature might stand up to him and say, this was a man."

Marlin Perkins Statue

Address:
S. Garrison Ave., Carthage, MO
Directions:
Downtown, in the town park, on the west side of S. Garrison Ave. between 7th St. and Chestnut/8th St.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Alice in Wonderland StatueAlice in Wonderland Statue, Carthage, MO - < 1 mi.
Tire Changing WomanTire Changing Woman, Carthage, MO - < 1 mi.
CrapdusterCrapduster, Carthage, MO - 2 mi.
In the region:
National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum, Joplin, MO - 14 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in Missouri

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Missouri.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Missouri Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings