Giant troll named Wilbur now climbing towering Oregon District chimney

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you. A giant troll named Wilbur is in fact climbing a really, really tall chimney in Dayton’s Oregon District.

The Troll Pub, 216 Wayne Ave., unveiled its newest troll statue on Saturday, March 16 — a day before its first anniversary, said Ben Baker, the restaurant's operating partner.

>> PHOTOS: St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans at Harrigan’s Tavern

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

"We wanted to do something not only for our one-year anniversary, but also for St. Patrick's Day, which is our anniversary," he said. "We thought it would bring more visibility to Oregon District East and also to our restaurant." 
>> (Feb. 23, 2018)  Photos from inside this highly anticipated Oregon District restaurant

The troll is constructed of steel and foam with a painted fiberglass.

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

A pocket watch dangles from his back pocket as he climbs up the building’s historic tower which is estimated to be 40 to 50 feet high.

Wilbur is above his “brother” troll Orville, who greets guests at the restaurant’s gate.

Baker said the trolls’ names are a nod to Wilbur and Orville Wright and Dayton’s aviation heritage.

“The city has been so warm and welcoming to us. We thought we would give something back,” he said.

Opened in 2018 in what has been dubbed Oregon East, Troll Pub employs about 55 people.

Baker said about 500 people were at the building when the covering was removed from the troll statue Saturday.

The troll was mounted on the chimney Monday and Tuesday, March 11 and 12.

>> RELATED: Why are these trolls being painted in the Oregon District?

The restaurant is the main anchor of The Wheelhouse project developed by Weyland Ventures. The building that houses it dates back to 1868. 

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

About the Author