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Dunkirk, New York: Giant Indian Head: Ong-Gwe-Ohn-Weh

One of dozens of similar, yet all different, giant Indian heads sculpted out of tree trunks by Peter Toth.

Address:
Lake Shore Drive, Dunkirk, NY
Directions:
Lake Shore Drive West (Route 5). Next to the city's water tower.
Admission:
Free
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Visitor Tips and News About Giant Indian Head: Ong-Gwe-Ohn-Weh

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Ong-Gwe-Ohn-Weh.

Giant Indian Head: Ong-Gwe-Ohn-Weh

I hope I get to see more of the Peter Wolf Toth carvings across the US. They are so moving.

[Annie, 08/16/2022]

Toth Indian.

Giant Indian Head: Ong-Gwe-Ohn-Weh

The new carving by Peter Toth has been finished and placed back on the old pedestal, although the bushes that wrapped around it are gone. We just wish that the whole display had been moved to the other side of the building (into the park with the marina) for a better background. Oh, well, the carving is incredibly beautiful. It's such an honor to have Mr. Toth carve another for our state.

[Barb Paton, 11/03/2014]

Whispering Giant restoration, 2014.

Giant Indian Head

When I visited, the Indian Head was in the process of being restored, on its side under a tent.

[signmanjoe, 08/15/2014]

Artist Peter "Wolf" Toth returned to Dunkirk to rehabilitate his "Whispering Giant" Indian head sculpture, which he originally carved 40 years ago.

Giant Indian Head: Ong-Gwe-Ohn-Weh

The giant Indian Head is at a new location, 92 E. Lakeshore Dr at Deer Street, just west of Tim Horton's. It is on its side under a tent and is in the process of being repaired. The restorer lives in a small trailer next to the site and can usually be found working on it most days. There is no specific date regarding when it will be returned to its original location, but at least it is visible again.

[Signman Joe, 08/07/2014]

Missing the head.

Giant Indian Head: Ong-Gwe-Ohn-Weh

Missing: one Giant Indian Head. We had no problem finding the City Water Filtration plant On Lake Shore Drive West in Dunkirk, where the carved Indian head was supposed to be... but, it was gone! Only the brick base with an information plaque remains, with no indication what happened to the giant carved head. My family suggested that the carving might have been a prank victim of a nearby college university....

[Barb P., 05/11/2014]

The wooden head, carved in 1973, was in bad shape, so the town removed it. Sculptor Peter "Wolf" Toth returned to Dunkirk, restored the head (and added six tears), and it was returned to its spot on August 5, 2014.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Dolly Dimples Waitress StatueDolly Dimples Waitress Statue, Dunkirk, NY - 1 mi.
Town of SpiritualistsTown of Spiritualists, Lilydale, NY - 9 mi.
Bronze Marmaduke and CartoonistBronze Marmaduke and Cartoonist, Portland, NY - 9 mi.
In the region:
Where President McKinley's Body Lay in State, Buffalo, NY - 36 mi.

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