As an admirer of all things Big and an ally of repressed minorities, I’m hesitant to present a roadside attraction that discriminates against those of us unable or unwilling to grow a full head of hair.
My buzz cut is a fashion choice and I could boast a luxurious mane of amber curls at the click of a finger, but I stand in solidarity with my follicly-challenged chums.
But here it is – the World’s Tallest Barber Pole, a thorn in the blistered scalps of baldies everywhere.
Located in a quiet corner of Hanson Stadium in Forest Grove, the 72-foot-tall pole was created by a chap named Chuck Olson in 1973. A proud member of the local barbershop quartet, Chuck was shocked to learn about a large barber pole located in Texas – and decided to better it.
Chuck sourced a long, wooden pole from a nearby lumber company and, with the help of his bandmates, painted it red, white and blue. Once installed, the fine folks from The Guinness Book of Records declared it the tallest barber pole on the planet.
And now, finally, there is no doubt that Forrest Grove has earned the title of Ballad Town, USA – take that, Lindsborg, Kansas!
And as for the giant rabbit up the road, well, don’t tell him about The World’s Largest Barber pole. I’m sure he’ has something to say about’s not too fond of harecuts!
A pole lotta fun!
Alright, so the World’s Tallest Barber Pole was built to honour the town’s proud history of producing world-class barbershop quartets, but that’s not the point. Why not create a 72-foot barbershop quartet? Or go one step further in the fight against bigotry, with a 72-foot-tall bald barbershop quartet?
As an added bonus, they could use their chrome domes as solar panels!
The World’s Tallest Barber Pole, sadly, also perpetuates negative stereotypes of barbershop quintets. If five-person a capella singing groups weren’t demonised, perhaps I wouldn’t have been unceremoniously dumped from hit Australian pop group Human Nature in the early ‘90s and replaced by Michael Tierney.
Yes, Michael’s super talented, kind, handsome, rhythmic and sexy. Maybe the good people of Forest Grove should just build a giant statue of Michael bloody Tierney and stop picking on bald people.
