A front page headline in the Oregonian implied that the KNA is in discussion with a businessman from North Carolina about selling our Paul Bunyan statue. It is true that an inquiry was made on behalf of Tom Vesce, but the KNA told him that Paul is NOT for sale.
We’re passionate people here in Kenton, and we love our Paul. Of course, we’re flattered by the inquiry, but Paul isn’t for sale. If Mr. Vesce truly can’t be without the statue, perhaps he would like a picture of Paul, surrounded by neighborhood residents, to hang in his office. We’d be happy to arrange that.
Or better yet, show your support with Paul Plaza maintenance! We need people to replant the planters, weed, water regularly, clean up the graffiti, and pick up the garbage. Come to the next KNA meeting to volunteer!
We also have received word that a nomination to the National Historic Register is already in the works for PB. We'll keep you posted.
Do you love Paul? Let us know how you feel at So far our neighbors have responded passionately with childhood memories and future wishes for the big guy:
"I have just read the article in today’s Oregonian regarding the interest by a North Carolina man in purchasing the Paul Bunyan statue. The article states that there have been mixed signals from the association in regards to the willingness to sell. I am shocked to read that there’s even an inkling that the neighborhood association would even entertain such an idea. This statue has been a part of the community since 1959; I shudder at the thought of selling a piece of North Portland history. The Paul Bunyan statue is a part of the neighborhood and the neighborhood should NOT be for sale!
Please consider this a plea to squash the notion of selling Paul Bunyan to what I perceive as some rich eccentric who merely wants to purchase the statue to add to his collection. Paul Bunyan wasn’t created to end up in somebody’s backyard; he’s to be shared and enjoyed by the neighborhood – OUR neighborhood. Please keep Paul Bunyan where he belongs...here."
"Greetings – I am horrified and deeply saddened to read, in the Oregonian, that some North Carolina ‘deep-pockets’ has his checkbook primed and loaded and his lustful eye on OUR Paul Bunyan statue. PLEASE do not consider his offer to purchase Paul Bunyan!!!! I was only 8 years old, in 1959, when Oregon celebrated our Centennial of statehood. The Paul Bunyan statue is the only standing reminder of our Centennial. We have lost so much of our history already. The old Forestry Bldg., from the Lewis & Clark Centennial of 1905, has burned to the ground. Our Willamette Meteorite, the largest meteorite ever found in the U.S. and displayed at the Lewis & Clark Exposition, was sold and ended up in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History. Next year, 2009, will be our Sesquicentennial – 150 years – of statehood. I will be 58 years old and I want to stand underneath Paul Bunyan for another family photo. My family, on both my maternal and paternal sides, were territorial pioneers and Oregon is in our hearts and in our blood. Why can’t Tom Vesce just build a replica Paul Bunyan for himself and be happy with that? Why does he have to purloin away a piece of our state history for his own selfish, commercial endeavors? Why is it that people who have a ton of money think that they can buy anything they want? There is so much selfishness and greed in our contemporary society. It is my most sincere hope that you, the Kenton neighborhood association, out of respect for our state history will do the right thing and just say to Tom Vesce: “You’re welcome to visit our Paul Bunyan but he is a part of our history and he is NOT for sale at any price so please do not ask again!!” Thank you for considering my opinion on this subject. We love Oregon and we love our Paul Bunyan statue."
"As residents of Kenton, we were shocked to read in today’s Oregonian about the potential sale of our neighborhood mascot, Paul Bunyan. We love Paul and we love living in Kenton. He is an important landmark and gateway into our little commercial district. We hope that the Kenton Neighborhood Association will stand firm and refuse to part with this much beloved neighborhood icon to a Carolina collector. If he has so much money, let him commission a replica."
"Please do not sell the Paul Bunyan statue! It is a living piece of Kenton history and should stay where it is. To think it would be moved to North Carolina just adds insult to injury. I would hope that the Kenton Neighborhood association will tell this guy that Paul is not for sale and to move on!" "Please, do not even entertain the notion of selling off a piece of our neighborhood or history! Paul is one of the things that makes North Portland and especially Kenton unique and to consider selling it is ridiculous! Let's tell this out of state chuckle head a big fat NOT FOR SALE!!!!" "I am a resident of the Kenton Neighborhood. I do not want Paul to be sold! He has been a landmark for North Portland since 1959. I remember seeing him in 1959 for the 100 year Celebration of Oregon's Statehood. I was about 11 years old at the time. I have now lived in the Kenton Neighborhood for 32 years. I am not just speaking for myself, but my spouse as well." "Yes. I read the article in the Oregonian today. It implied, some on the board were waivering on whether or not to sell the statue. As a business owner, property owner and former resident of the Kenton neighborhood I am appauled that anyone would waiver on the potential sale of our proud neighborhood heritage. Whoever would even consider that possibility should be banished from the neighborhood. As a former Kenton Neighborhood Association board member, I'll tell you, we spent considerable amount of time preserving Paul. The City of Portland and the Light Rail group tried to destroy the statue. It took a lot of effort on the part of the community to preserve it. Please, for everyones sake DO NOT sell us out!""My family would certainly like to see the statue kept right where it is. My dad actually helped in building it. He told me this morning that he and 5 others helped with wrapping wire around iron trusts. My dad was asked to do the fingers because he seemed to be best able to do that part, but he also worked on the arms and shoulders. When they were done then the latherers came and did their part plastering it. Then someone painted it.""I have been working for the past two months on a National Historic Register Nomination for the Paul Bunyan statue. I am greatly pleased to hear the show of support that has been coming forward to keep Paul in his rightful place in the Kenton neighborhood from both the Neighborhood Association and the public. He is indeed an integral historical landmark for the Kenton neighborhood and Portland and has practically become part of my family the past few months. Thank you for your time."
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