Kalama, Washington: A Very Tall Totem Pole (Gone)
Skinny and 140 feet tall. Taken down in 2019 due to rot. Pole fans hoped to display it horizontally beneath an A-frame shelter, but by May 2023 it was gone.
- Directions:
- I-5 exit 27. Turn west on Robb Rd, then immediately right (north) onto Dupont Rd. Drive a hundred yards, then turn right onto Port Rd/Hendrickson Drive. Drive two miles north, paralleling the freeway. You'll see a playground on the left, with the totem pole behind it. Parking lot is just past the playground.
- Status:
- Gone
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McMennimen's is building a new event center and hotel where the Tallest Totem will be exhibited, hanging horizontally under the A frame roof. I've seen the architectural rendering and it's gorgeous. The pole, carved from a 700-year-old Western Red Cedar, stood 140 feet high, but it has rotted from the inside out and cannot be repaired to stand any longer. This photo was taken in 2018 before the Tallest Totem was grounded. You can see how much taller it is than the Thunderbird-topped totem beside it. Local Native American craftsman Don Lelooska began work on the totems for display at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, but he did not finish in time.
[Lea Cook, 08/30/2021]As of October 26 this totem pole was still on the ground, likely undergoing repair. It is next to a nice park and the Kalama McMenamins Lodge.
[Tom Beaman, 10/31/2020]
The Tallest Totem Pole is on the ground now, but still cool!
[Hana, 01/31/2019]Visit this soon because it's coming down due to dry rot.
[Lisa King, 07/08/2018]
So the sign claims. 140 feet tall, with three additional poles and a full description on signs. On the riverbank of the Columbia River.
[Vanna, 07/10/2016]The poles were carved by Don "Chief Lelooska" Smith. He hoped to display them at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, but couldn't finish in time. They've stood here since 1974.
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The pole was taken down in 2018 because part of the wood had rotted.