Newark, Ohio: Flood-Repelling Totem Pole
Over 25 feet tall. Erected in 1962 to repel any floods that might threaten the town. Thus far, it's done its job.
- Address:
- 140 Everett Ave., Newark, OH
- Directions:
- From OH-16, exit OH-13/4th St. Turn east onto Church St. Go east five blocks, cross the railroad tracks, and turn north on Front St. Go underneath the OH-16 overpass and the totem pole is on the northwest corner of Front St. and Everett Ave.
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Newark, Ohio experienced a flood on January 21, 1959. After the waters subsided, civic leaders tried to think of a way to boost the town's morale. They commissioned a carver in Alaska to build a totem pole for the city.
The 26.5-foot-tall pole was dedicated in a large ceremony on June 1, 1962, and stood at a downtown corner until 2016, when it was taken down for restoration. It was re-erected earlier this year and is once again protecting the city from future flooding, supposedly.
An arrow on the sign next to the pole shows the high water mark from the 1959 flood. It is very colorful, but does look out of place since the Indians in this area never created totem poles.
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