Photo courtesy The Exploration Place. Mr. PG standing outside of the Chamber of Commerce Office in 1962

By Written by Alyssa Leier, Curator at The Exploration Place

Sound Off

Mr. PG turns 60

Mar 3, 2020 | 10:36 AM

Mr. PG is an iconic figure that has welcomed guests to Prince George since May 8th, 1960.

Commemorated in song by Winnipeg children’s singer Al Simmons, Mr. PG is featured in a fun ballad all about his beginnings, the opening brags that “Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben chimes each London hour, China’s famous for its wall, India – The Taj Mahal. The CN Tower may be tall but Mr. P. G. tops them all…”.

Now standing 27 feet tall at the intersection of Highways 16 and 97, Mr.PG has always managed to stir emotions and has withstood numerous debates in his 60 years on whether he’s still relevant to the community.

Let’s start from the beginning.

The idea for Mr. PG originated with former Prince George Mayor Harold Moffat in the late 1950s. He believed that the community needed a mascot who could promote the forestry industry and represent the City of Prince George. Moffat approached Hans Roine, a local Rotarian and Clear Lake sawmill owner, with the idea. In May of 1960, the very first Mr. PG was created. At 10-feet high, he was smaller than our current Mr. PG and made entirely out of wood. The new mascot was on display in front of the Simon Fraser Hotel to greet delegates attending the Rotary International Conference beginning May 8th,1960.

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Not unlike today, Mr. PG was an instant success with many of the guests posing for a photo with him. His popularity gave Bill Jones, City Public Works Superintendent, the idea for a parade float using this character for the annual Elks Day Parade. Identified as “Mr.PG- the Spirit of Prince George”, MR. PG was built to portray and personify the spirit of Prince George and its people. He had a small speaker in his nose so that he had a voice to give public addresses, make ad lib comments and talk about life in Northern BC. He stole the show. He was 38 feet tall in order to depict the magnitude of the lumber industry and the expansive territory he called home. Because of his height, he was also built to bend at the waist or heal in order to duck under overhead obstructions.

Over the next few years, Mr. PG made numerous appearances in local parades throughout the province. In 1961, he won 1st place at the Kelowna Regatta and 2nd prize at the PNE opening parade. In 1963, he became the talk of the nation when he participated in the Grey Cup Parade in Vancouver. Following his extensive travels, Mr. PG found a home in front of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce located at George Street and 1st Avenue.

In 1970, the Tourist Information Centre was opened at the Intersection of Highways 16 and 97 and Mr. PG was moved to greet visitors to Prince George. In the same year, BC Tel presented the Chamber of Commerce with a Mr. PG Junior telephone booth standing 12 feet tall. By this time, Mr. PG’s popularity was indisputable, spurring the Chamber of Commerce to recognize him as the official symbol for the City of Prince George in 1973, with City Council following suit in 1975. The City officially trademarked Mr. PG and his likeness in 1985.

The current metal and fiberglass Mr. PG replaced the older wooden structure in 1983 and in 2012 Mr.PG moved to the opposite side of the road to his home now.

Throughout the years Mr. PG has been decorated with numerous clothing articles and props to celebrate national, provincial and community events. He has become quite the celebrity and world traveler and is photographed regularly as a representative of Prince George.

Although there have been several iterations of Mr.PG throughout the years and even though Prince George’s economy is no longer solely dominated by forestry, Mr. PG continues to be an important ambassador for the city’s spirit and history.

In honour of MR.PG and his legacy turning 60, The Exploration Place is working with the City of Prince George and Tourism PG to assist in a birthday celebration to mark the special occasion.

These celebrations include a lunchtime celebration at Mr. PG on May 8th, a scavenger in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park featuring Mr. PG-related items on May 9th, photo-ops and Mr.PG involvement in a variety of other community events throughout the year.

The Exploration Place will also be refurbishing the Mr.PG phonebooth that was gifted from BC-Tel to the Chamber of Commerce in 1970.

Stay tune for more exciting details!

If you are interested in getting your own commemorative edition Mr.PG, come down to The Exploration Place gift shop. All purchases go to support The Exploration Place, a Northern BC non-profit organization and registered charity.