Chief Wasatch
“TO RAISE THE NATION’S CONSCIENCE TO THE PLIGHT OF THE FIRST AMERICAN 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.
Chief Wasatch was carved as part of the 50 States Series by Peter “Wolf” Toth.
Located in Murray Park.
(from a plaque in Arrowhead Park)
In 1985, Mayor Larell D. Muir, commissioned Peter “Wolf” Toth to sculpt a statue of “Chief Wasatch” to honor the many Native Americans who lived in Utah long before the Euro-American settlers. Toth selected a giant cottonwood tree growing along the Jordan River near 4800 South to carve the sculpture that can be seen along the well-traveled State Street corridor.
Dedication ceremonies for “Chief Wasatch” with artist Peter “Wolf” Toth, his wife Cathy, Murray City Parks Superintendent Bill Crocker and Native American dignitaries with Miss University of Utah Princess Gail Nahwahquaw of the Menominee tribe in Wisconsin. Photo Source: Murray City Museum.
