Check out the largest totem pole in the world! See photos and discover this amazing place!

Alright, so I’ve always been fascinated by those towering, intricately carved wooden structures – totem poles. And I just had to see the “largest totem pole in the world.” I mean, how could I not? It sounded like such a cool, unique thing to witness. So, I started doing some digging to figure out where this bad boy was located.

Turns out, finding a definitive answer to that wasn’t as easy as I thought. I mean, I found a couple of contenders, which made the whole thing even more intriguing.

Check out the largest totem pole in the world! See photos and discover this amazing place!

The Alaskan Contender

First up, there’s this place called Kake in Alaska. They claim to have the world’s tallest “properly sanctioned” totem pole. Apparently, it’s a whopping 132 feet tall! It was carved way back in 1967 by the Chilkats, and they did it for Alaska’s centennial. I read that it’s all in one piece, which is pretty impressive, and it’s standing tall on a bluff overlooking a Native reservation.

The Oklahoma Surprise

Then there’s this other place – Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park in Oklahoma. Now, this one’s a bit different. It’s not just one pole, but a whole park filled with colorful folk art. The main attraction, though, is this massive 90-foot totem pole made of concrete! Yeah, you heard that right, concrete. I guess that makes it the “world’s largest concrete totem pole.” It’s owned by the Rogers County Historical Society and is a popular spot for folks traveling along Route 66.

The Research Rabbit Hole

So, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole, reading up on totem poles in general. I learned that there are actually several different types. Some are memorial poles, put up when a house changes hands to honor the previous owner. Others are grave markers, basically like tombstones. Then there are house posts, which are used to support the roof, and portal poles, which I guess have a doorway or something.

It was all super interesting, but I was still stuck on figuring out which one was truly the largest. The Kake pole is taller, but it’s wood. The Oklahoma one is shorter, but it’s concrete. Does that even count? I decided I needed to see both of these places for myself.

First, I booked a trip to Alaska. Getting to Kake was an adventure in itself! After a bit of trekking, I finally made it. And let me tell you, that totem pole is HUGE. Standing at the bottom and looking up, it felt like it was reaching up to the sky. The carvings were incredible, so detailed and full of history. I spent hours there, just taking it all in and snapping a ton of pictures. I definitely felt the spirit of the Chilkat people who created it, and the experience got under my skin.

Check out the largest totem pole in the world! See photos and discover this amazing place!

Next up was Oklahoma. Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park was a completely different vibe. It was quirky and colorful, and that concrete totem pole was something else. It wasn’t as tall as the one in Kake, but it was still massive and impressive in its own way. Plus, the whole park was filled with other interesting art pieces. I talked to some folks at the historical society, and they were super passionate about the place. I could see why it’s such a popular destination for those driving along the old Route 66. A very different experience, but it has its own charm.

So, which one is the “largest”? Honestly, I don’t think there’s a clear answer. It depends on how you define it. If you’re talking about pure height and traditional wooden construction, then Kake’s totem pole wins. But if you’re open to different materials and a more, let’s say, artistic interpretation, then the Oklahoma pole has a strong claim.

In the end, I’m glad I visited both. They were both amazing experiences, and I learned so much about totem poles and the cultures that create them. It just goes to show that sometimes, the journey is more important than the destination. And sometimes, there’s no single right answer, and that’s okay, too. I left both places with a deeper appreciation for the art of totem pole carving, and the incredible skill and history behind it. I mean, who knew there were so many different kinds, each with its own story?

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