PORTLAND, Ore. — After five years of absence, Portland’s beloved Thompson Elk statue is on track to return to its historic home on Southwest Main Street by early spring 2026, city officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The iconic bronze elk, which has stood as a downtown landmark since 1900, was removed in July 2020 after inspectors discovered serious structural issues after it was damaged during nightly protests. The $2.2 million project has involved quarries in Vermont, fabricators in Ohio, and meticulous preservation work to honor the fountain’s 125-year history.
“We expect this to be finished this winter and the elk to be restored by spring,” said David O’Longaigh of the Portland Water Bureau…