This is one of the largest known NW Native totem poles. It is about 50' tall and 4' in diameter and weighs 27 tons. It was carved by Chief Lalooska in 1959 from a cedar log from Mt. Adams. It stands outside the Chart House Restaurant in Portland west hills. Prior to the Chart House this was Palaske's "Hillilla". Mr Palaske was a fan of NW native art and he commissioned Chief Lalooska to carve this. The totem pole is a prized part of Portland's public art collection. The carving was done in a mixture of Haida and kwakiutl styles. The carved figures depict a beaver surmounted by a grizzly bear topped by a raven topped by four watchmen.

I am a fan of NW Native wood carving and have carved a few masks myself. Furthermore I have visited Lalooska's "longhouse" in Ariel, Washington (as many locals have) He was a great story teller of NW native legends. He had gathererings ther often where he would tell the stories and there was displays of the cerimonial dances in full masks and costumes. It was quite a thing to see.