World Famous Talking Bear

In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is the small town of Oakhurst, California.  Once a cattle stop and logging town, Oakhurst became known in more recent times as the home of Sierra On-Line, a pioneer in the computer gaming industry.  Oakhurst is also a gateway to the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park and calls itself the “Carved Bear Capital of the World."

Most of Oakhurst's bears are carved from wood repurposed from trees lost to drought or bark beetle infestation.  However, its most notable ursine inhabitant may be “The World Famous Talking Bear.” This molded fiberglass and steel-reinforced statue of a grizzly bear was manufactured by the Alpine Fiberglass Menagerie Co. of Alpine, California, a company recognized for creating large statues used as roadside attractions

The Talking Bear is posed with an open mouth of bared teeth and a front paw raised to swipe, while his other paw rests on a grey rock.  His brown fur is heavily textured, and he sports the classic grizzly hump on his back.  When a button is pressed, the Bear vocalizes from a nearby speaker, letting out a growl followed by some California bear facts and history

Legend says that the Bear was originally created as an enticement to the International Olympic Site Selection Committee.  The inducement failed. However, in 1965, Hugh Schollenberger placed the fiberglass Bear at the intersection of Crane Valley Road and State Route 41 in the center of Oakhurst, and the Bear has presided there ever since.  He endures annual holiday decorations on his island of grass and has even been spotted wearing a festive scarf in cold weather.