THE WARRENTON WARRIOR
FINALLY HAS A HOME !
Story and Photos by Lisa Lamping
One of Warrenton’s most cherished icons has finally found a home. The giant metal Warrior statue that graced the grounds of the Warrenton High School for decades has finally found a permanent home in downtown Warrenton.
After years of uncertainty regarding what would become of the beloved icon of WHS history, the Warrior has been placed on the property of business owners Don Patterson and Robert Fulton near their prospective businesses, Warrenton Mini Mart and Fultano’s Pizza.
The story of the Warrior’s journey begins in the late 1960’s when high school student, Linda Faulkner (Curnow), designed the statue to be made of hundreds of small purple warrior sculptures. Under the watchful eye of their shop teacher, Mr. Moon, students in welding class carved out several hundred of the mini-Indians and welded them together to make one large Warrior which stands well over 10’ tall.
The original Warrior was placed on the roof of the entrance to the high school in 1969 and remained there for several years. It was taken down in the early 70’s for repair. Some of the sculptures were replaced, after which it was mounted on a cement pad near the school’s entrance walkway where it remained for nearly 50 years.
The Warrior has been the centerpiece and subject of many a photograph, prank and group gathering during this time. Students often gathered at lunch breaks sitting in the grass near the Warrior and many team photos included the giant statue that so many had grown to love and identify with the WHS experience.
The 10’ tall purple Indian had become synonymous with Warrenton High School athletics, but times are changing.
What was once considered a strong, noble, brave, invincible, mascot and role model for young athletes became subject to what some would characterize as “PC”: political correctness. Others counter that there is a greater need for sensitivity to the diversity of the world and that with time comes maturity and clarity in worldly views. Both sides feel passionately about their perspectives and have made their positions known in various meetings and discussions. In the end, the Oregon State school board said the following:
“The schools have five years to comply with the order or risk losing their state funding. Another seven high schools identified as the Warriors will be allowed to keep their nickname but will have to change mascots or graphics that depict Native Americans. An unknown number of elementary and middle schools also will be affected.”
So, after years of discussion, a decision was handed down on May of 2012 and the much-loved purple giant was to be removed from the high school within the 5 year timetable causing a mix of emotions for everyone involved.
Since the final decision, there has been a great deal of discussion of what would become of the mascot. Long conversations on Facebook debating the merits of the decision, the politics of it all, and ultimately a community call for someone to step up and save the noble mascot from the junk pile. After all, it’s a significant piece of Warrenton Warrior history and deserves its rightful place in our community–but where, who and how?
After being placed in storage for the last year past WHS Alumni, Roger Searles, answered the call. He began to do the legwork in June of 2016 inquiring of the school district about the location of the Warrior and what the plans for it were. After several meetings with the school Superintendent along with friends, Flint Carlson and Mark Baldwin, Searles came up with a plan. They had the who and the how but not the where.
Then one day Roger was talking with Don Patterson, owner of the Warrenton Mini Mart and Warrenton Hall of Famer, and told him about the need for a location. Patterson being an all around supporter of the all things WHS, it did not take Don long to offer up a corner spot near his business. All he needed to do was get an adjacent business owner and friend to agree. That owner was none other than Robert Fulton, owner of Fultano’s pizza, in downtown Warrenton. Robert, also a big fan and supporter of WHS, wasted no time in saying, “YES”.
And that is the long and the short of how the Warrior found his new home. You can pass by him as you round the corner from Main Street to Harbor Drive. For many, seeing him will bring back many good memories and they can rest easy knowing he found he still has a home in Warrenton.
