Picher, Oklahoma: Lonely Gorilla in Modern-Day Ghost Town
The Picher High School Gorillas were the 1A Football State Champs of 1984, according to the base of this life-size gorilla statue. Picher was once the world's #1 producer of lead, but has been nearly abandoned since 2006 because of pollution and collapsing mines.
- Address:
- US-69, Picher, OK
- Directions:
- On the west side of US-69/S. Connell Ave., across from the town water tower.
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The gorilla statue is gone now.
[Debra Jane Seltzer, 11/24/2023]
An innocent-looking gorilla on the roadside marks a Superfund site.
[Micki, 07/31/2023]This particular gorilla was the statue-mascot of the local school sports teams until the schools were closed in 2009.
Looks like he has a fresh coat of paint.
[Will, 02/08/2015]
The gorilla is still there. Don't stay long in the town. It's a superfund site!
[Donna Blum, 01/18/2015]
The Picher High School Gorilla sits on the corner of E. 22 Rd and Columbus.
[Wil, 07/06/2014]Nearby Offbeat Places
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Not gone, it's just been moved to another lonely spot in this nearly-abandoned town. The gorilla is now part of the official Picher-Cardin Memorial, with accompanying plaques and a flagpole. Still, a lonely spot.