Photos: How to visit giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan in the PNW | Seattle Refined

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Paul Bunyan, a giant lumberjack and Pacific Northwest folk hero, claims Portland as his forever home. And you can see him for yourself on Pacific Highway across from a bank. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

The 31-foot-tall handmade, metal and concrete statue was built in 1959 to commemorate Oregon’s Centennial Expo and International Trade Fair. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

The looming folk hero dressed in red and white flannel donning an axe is part of the popular Muffler Men era, molded fiberglass statues from the ‘60s created to promote roadside businesses. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)<p></p>

The legendary, roadside lumberjack holds a tall axe and smiles to passersby. He proudly watches over the Kenton neighborhood to this day. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

<p>In 2014, a Santa hat was placed on Bunyan’s head for SantaCon. According to SavingPlaces.org, Paul’s neighbors formed a Friends of Paul nonprofit for future repairs. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)<br></p>

<p>In 2015, the Kenton neighborhood raised nearly $90,000 to give Bunyan a fresh coat of paint, loving repairs and exterior cleaning. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)<br></p>

Friendly competitors across the country offer their own Paul statues for spectators. Find other gentle giants in Maine, California and Connecticut. But Oregon’s might just be the very best. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

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