Large Indian Statue Could Make A New Home In Edmond

An 18-foot Indian Chief statue is up for sale in Houston and could be making its way to Edmond.

The Edmond city council approved up to $90,000 to bring the statue to Oklahoma. The statue of Chief Touch the Clouds was sculpted in 1995. It once was retail valued at a quarter of a million dollars. The price tag is now $50,000 and that's a deal Edmond city officials don't want to pass up.

"This piece is one of a kind and there will never be another one like it," said former Edmond Mayor Randel Shadid.

Chief Touch the Clouds may be touching the pavement soon.

"My recommendation, for what it's worth, is we acquire the piece and get it in Edmond," said Shadid.

Shadid is in Houston taking a look at the bronze sculpture in hopes to bring it to his hometown.

"The structure is in good shape. It's weathered, which I expected, but it looks very nice."

Edmond downtown shop owner Karen Morton is a supporter of the arts.

"I think it brings a lot of people into our town," Morton said.

But the statue does need some care, which concerns the longtime Edmond resident.

"I'd hate to see them buy something that would make them spend money that they are not anticipating."

If the city decides to purchase the 18-foot tall statue of Chief Touch the Clouds, it will be the city's largest piece of artwork; outsizing the 17-and-a-half-foot tall statue of Edmond native and Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller.

The funds for the new statue and its transportation will not come from the city's general fund.

"It's called the council contingency fund. That has $100,000 in it," said Casey Moore with the City of Edmond.

It's all money set aside by the city,

"It's more of a special projects fund that they can use at their discretion," said Moore. "Putting the money into one focus piece is something we should consider."

As for the location of the statue, that is still not determined.