Kalama, Washington: A Very Tall Totem Pole (In Transition)
Skinny, mostly white, and 140 feet tall. Stood on a riverbank, out in the open, so everyone could admire its height. Taken down in 2019 due to rot; pole fans hope to display it horizontally beneath an A-frame shelter.
- Address:
- 215 Hendrickson Drive, Kalama, WA
- 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.
- Hours:
- July 2019: Under repair.
- Status:
- In Transition
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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]
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.
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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.