For almost thirty years, visitors to downtown Murray City have been greeted by unique artwork standing at the State Street entrance to Murray City Park: Chief Wasatch, a 23-foot-tall bust of a Native American carved by the artist Peter “Wolf” Toth.
The sculpture has become a distinctive feature of the local landscape recognized by visitors and loved by residents. Chief Wasatch has also been recognized by Roadside America, a site dedicated to documenting “offbeat tourist attractions” throughout the United States, with this recommendation for visitors: “You can drive right by, or just walk up to the park lawn to read the plaque. Best View is by moonlight.”
The artist donated the larger-than-life Chief Wasatch to the city in 1985, after former Murray City leaders invited Toth to build and erect the sculpture at the site.
Toth spent about three months living out of a trailer in Murray City Park while he worked on the sculpture. He used chainsaws and other tools provided by the city to complete the project.
Chief Wasatch was carved out of a red Cottonwood tree that was growing along the Jordan River at about 4800 South. Wasatch stands at the main entrance to Murray City Park just 70 feet from the sidewalk. Murray City also provided the pedestal and plaque at the site to help complete the project and hosted a celebration at its completion in November 1985.
The plaque gracing the sculpture reads in part, “[Chief Wasatch serves] to raise the nation’s conscience to the plight of the first Americans so they won’t be forgotten, but will be remembered in our minds and in our hearts. This statue is sculpted out of a giant cottonwood tree in honor of Utah Native Americans – Southern and Northern Ute, southern Shoshone, Goshutes, Paiute, and Navajo. Dedicated November 23, 1985.”
The sculpture is part of a larger project completed by the artist*. Toth has completed over 70 sculptures as part of the “Whispering Giants” series to honor Native American peoples, with the intention to place the sculptures in all fifty states in the US. His artwork can be seen throughout the country and also internationally in Canada and Hungary.
Unfortunately, the sculpture has experienced some decay and destruction over the years. Despite attempts to protect Chief Wasatch, the wood has become infested by insects. Vandals have also spray him with graffiti, and once the sculpture was lit on fire.
Despite the damage, Chief Wasatch still stands as a testament to the unique local character of the city, which has become a landmark destination for everyone seeking culture and a wonderful place to live!
*At the time that Toth sculpted Chief Wasatch, he also created a second sculpture, a large eagle, which used to sit at the east entrance of Murray City Park. Unfortunately, the second sculpture rotted to the point that it was removed.