The Grant's Pass Caveman In Oregon Just Might Be The Strangest Roadside Attraction Yet
By Catherine Armstrong|Published May 28, 2020
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Oregon’s roadside attractions are all as quirky and wonderful as you’d expect. From a huge, red candle on the side of the highway in Scappoose, to the 31-foot-tall Paul Bunyan in Portland, you’ll find dozens of head-turning oddities all over the Beaver State.
There’s a large fiberglass caveman standing in front of the Grants Pass Visitor Bureau between Morgan Lane and Vine Street in Grants Pass, and if you don’t know the story behind his existence, you might think it’s pretty strange. Turns out, there’s a charming story behind the caveman culture here.
Grants Pass is an idyllic community nestled on the banks of the Rogue River, 30 miles from Medford. It's just like any other beautiful Oregon town, except that it seems to have an obsession with cavemen.
Residents can hang out at Caveman Bowl, and if they crash their car on the way home, they can have it towed by Caveman towing. Home improvements are all about cavemen too. Call Caveman Fence & Fabrication, Caveman Heating and Air Conditioning, or Caveman Roofing to help with your projects.
Why cavemen? Because of the Oregon Caves National Monument, which is just 48 miles south of town. In 1909, President Taft designated it as a monument, and by the 1920s tourists were flocking to the area.
Recognizing the potential for tourism dollars, the city of Grants Pass began looking for ways to draw those visitors north to their town. A local booster club called "The Oregon Cavemen Club" formed, and began taking photos of themselves at Oregon Caves and all around town.
In 1971, the club installed its famous caveman, who was created by International Fiberglass (the same folks who created the Midas Men who are found all over the country).
In 2004, vandals set him on fire, and he was badly damaged. The people of Grants Pass were not deterred, and they immediately employed the owner of Summer Breeze Kayaks to make him as good as new. In 2014, he was given another facelift.
The next time you're in Grants Pass, make sure to stop by to visit the caveman. You can read all about him and the history of the Oregon Cavemen Club while you're there.
