Paul Bunyan's Severed Head – York, Maine - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

Paul Bunyan's Severed Head

York, Maine

The head of a legendary lumberjack watches over a river in Maine.  

View all photos
This is what you see when you walk up to him. alexbickerstaffis (Atlas Obscura User)
This is what you see when you walk up to him. alexbickerstaffis (Atlas Obscura User)
He sneaks up on you, but he's up against the trees in the clearing. alexbickerstaffis (Atlas Obscura User)
The view from right next to Paul. alexbickerstaffis (Atlas Obscura User)
12
70
Top Places in York
Close-up of Mary Nasson's image on her grave
York Witch Grave
York, Maine
Boon Island Light
York, Maine
Wiggly Bridge
York, Maine
 See All
This entry is a stub
Help improve Atlas Obscura by expanding Paul Bunyan's Severed Head with additional information or photos.

It’s unclear precisely how the head of a Paul Bunyan statue got to the top of a tree near the York river in York, Maine. “He’s always been there” is what locals have said. That’s just where he lives.

When Seacoastonline looked into the mysterious head in 2021, they found that the head was likely placed on the tree by land owners David and Sharan Gross. Their daughter, Amanda Bouchard, said at the time that “the river is important to us here and ‘The Head,’ as we call it, has been watching over it.”

paul bunyan mystery roadside attractions
Nearby
York Witch Grave
4.35 miles
Wiggly Bridge
4.71 miles
Fort McClary State Historic Site
5.28 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Close-up of Mary Nasson's image on her grave
York, Maine

York Witch Grave

The grave of Mary Nasson is shrouded by witchy legends.
Looking through bridge toward road
York, Maine

Wiggly Bridge

True to its name, this bouncy walkway may be the world’s smallest suspension bridge.
Closer view of the blockhouse.
Kittery, Maine

Fort McClary State Historic Site

Despite its extensive history, this fort saw little to no combat.
U.S.S. Albacore
Portsmouth, New Hampshire

U.S.S. Albacore

Once the future of underwater combat, this old sub is now open for visitors to muck around in.
Related Places
Rumford, Maine

Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox

A larger-than-life dedication to the famous lumberjack and his loyal ox.
Mystery Craters.
South Kolan, Australia

Mystery Craters

The 25-million-year-old cavities have perplexed people for decades.
On the Way.
Sweden

On the Way

Enigmatic bug-like sculptures mystify drivers along a Swedish highway.
Female lion
Amboy, California

Guardian Lions of Route 66

A pair of large white marble lions guard this stretch of the Mojave Desert, and it is utterly mysterious how they got there.
Appears in 1 List
Paul Bunyan Statue, Bangor
List

10 Places to Get to Know Paul Bunyan

From Maine to Oregon, these monuments pay tribute to the legendary lumberjack.
Roxanne Hoorn June 28, 2024
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web