Details
The statue sits 140 feet (43 m) above the ground on top of the Capitol’s rotunda. It can be reached by a 121-step spiral staircase that starts on the buildings fourth floor. The pioneer is 22 feet (6.7 m) tall and sits on a 23-foot (7.0 m) tall marble base. The head measures six feet ten inches in circumference. Hollow inside, the bronze artwork weighs 8.5 short tons (7.7 t) with a gold leaf finish. The gold leaf is 23K gold and must be refurbished every so often due to physical abrasion from dust (and scratches from bird claws).
The pioneer depicted holds a splitting axe in his right hand with the blade end facing the ground. In the other hand is a tarp, as according to the artist the pioneer was planning on building a shelter. The pioneer also has a beard and looks to the west while facing north. The capitol conducts tours that include trips to the base of the statue.
Read more about this topic: Oregon Pioneer
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