Vigo County Historical Society

Totem pole may seem out of place, but it has local origins

Tootootch, a Wabash Valley treasure pictured today as the center of a winter scene, stands proudly on the grounds of the Vigo County Historical Museum. Sometimes the question is asked, "Why is a totem pole a part of an Indiana museum?"

Visitors who ask this question know totem poles were a part of the life of Indians living on the northwest coast of southern Alaska and British Columbia, and not of the Woodland Indians who once called the Wabash Valley home. Whey they don’t know is the local origin of this particular object.

Mrs. Chapman J. Root ordered a totem pole constructed for the grounds of the beautiful Root estate in Allendale. A 28-foot long pine tree was transported by rail from California. The late Huston Isaacs, a teacher and authority on Indian lore, and his friend, Charles Eggleston, carved the stylized figure in the way of the Northwest Indians.

The totem pole was a part of the Root estate from 1938 until 1963, when it was given to the society by Chapman S. Root in memory of his grandmother, Mrs. Chapman J. Root.

"Tootootch" is the Indian word for the thunderbird which is carved at the top. Symbolic faces and figures appear below with a bear symbolizing strength at the base. The colors represent the heavenly skies (white), sunlight and happiness (yellow), the earth and trees (green), power (black), the waters and sincerity (blue), and war and valor (red).

Dr. Fred Isaacs, son of one of the carvers, has maintained an interest and helped support the upkeep of the totem pole through the years. The most recent painting was accomplished this past fall by Peggy and John Apgar and Kathy Brentlinger and David Brentlinger.