I have lived in OH for over 15 years and cannot believe I've never visited this site! Enjoyed reading about how the sculpture came to be. The QR code lets you listen to a recording of the sculptor himself. The 12' sculpture can be climbed on from the rear and presents a nice view of the area. Lots of areas for picnicking and amphitheater for concerts. read more

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This is a really cool quick stop. The monument is impressive. The park is so quiet and pleasant. We even saw deer visiting. The river is pretty. Parking is plentiful and there are restrooms. read more

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Chief Leatherlips monument is a large stone faced public art piece located in a beautiful park in Dublin just outside of Columbus Ohio. My family and I was in town from Lousiville visiting Columbus for my second oldest daughters cheer competition. One of the things we always do when visiting other city and towns is check out the local public art scene. This was a piece we had circled before we made our trip. Overall a very great and fun piece. Me And the kids enjoyed the cool Photo ops that we had with the piece and it was in a beautiful park as well. read more

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Pretty cool monument to go check out and the park it's located in is nice to walk around in. I went for research for a paper and got some great photos of it. The place that has a marker located on where he was executed is located nearby. It's harder to get to and there is nowhere to park near it. read more

Nice place to stop by! At the bottom of the hill you can find a playground for kids to play at. read more

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I love that Dublin has so much cool public art. Leatherlips is one of the public art pieces we were told to see, and I'm glad that we trudged through rain to take a look at it. Leatherlips Monument is located inside Sciota Park. You can't miss it -- it's immediately to your right when you enter the park. Drive down the hill a bit and park in the parking lot, and you can walk up the grass hill and experience the monument up close. There's a sign at the base of the monument explicitly asking that you not climb on the statue. Of course, my kids spent the whole time visiting the monument doing two things: explaining why exactly they absolutely needed to climb onto the statue in order to fully experience it, and asking why they couldn't. Oooh, I get the temptation. That statue does look exceedingly climbable. But no, you can't climb on it. The park that this monument sits in has many other features. We didn't stick around to explore much, but we did find a beaver statue and a turtle statue a little ways away from Leatherlips! It's at the base of the parking lot, hidden in the brush, in case you want to see it, too. read more

Cute little nature park. Not much to do here though. Theres about 1 monument and thats it. Nice downstream river if you go towards the bottom though read more

Leatherlips Monument - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

We stopped here while visiting the area. The monument is impressive. I like how it sits at the top of the hill. The park looked good. I would like to go and walk around more next time. There is parking and restrooms. read more

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Today in Columbus Ohio, Tony and I discovered Sciota Park along the Sciota River and the Chief Leather Lips Monument. Free to enjoy!!! This is lovely park located along the river on Route 33 up near the Columbus Zoo area. GPS took me straight there, no problems!!! Park is very gorgeous !!! Three large covered shelter picnicking areas, large playground and great river access and views highly recommend a stop if your in the area. read more

Leatherlips Monument - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

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While the focus of the Leatherlips Monument is of course the Monument, it's situated within a lovely and historic park.  Within the park you'll find pavilions, picnic tables, restrooms, and a decent amount of green space for walking and recreating. Tip: the park also contains an amphitheater, and has plenty of free parking :-) On to the Chief and his Monument! Chief Leatherlips was a Wyandot Native American leader who lived in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.  Leatherlips was opposed to Tecumseh's Confederacy against the US, and he sold Native American land to William Henry Harrison (the 9th President of the US, who died in office after serving only 6 weeks).  In 1810, Leatherlips was charged with "witchcraft" and condemned to death by other native Americans for his desire to cooperate with white settlers.   The Monument stands about three miles north of the Scioto River Bridge at State Route 161, not far from the Muirfield Village golf course site.  Legend has it that the ghost of Leatherlips brings the rain to the annual Memorial Golf Tournament because the traffic and crowds of the tournament disturb him. "The Curse of Leatherlips" remains prominent in local lore, and despite repeated efforts to break the curse, the tournament is often plagued by heavy rains to this day. read more

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This is a rather neat landmark at a park near the watersedge in the Dublin area. I took my nephew here on a park date over the summer and after parking, and wandering along the river, we eventually made our way up to the monument. I always appreciate an informative plaque so I can read about what I'm admiring. This one told the story of the now 31 year old piece of art that was created to commemorate the Wyandot Chief, who became known as Chief Leatherlips. The statue is eleven feet tall and made out of limestone and was made by artist Ralph Helmick in 1990. There's also an amphitheater nearby, which is kinda neat and I can see being used outside of pandemic times. Overall, we enjoyed exploring the area, taking pictures, and climbing around. read more

Most people living in Central Ohio know of Chief Leatherlips only because of the "curse of Leatherlips" which makes it rain on the Memorial Golf Tournament every year. The monument actually honors Chief Leatherslips and sits in a nice park right along the river. The park includes a picnic area, an amphitheater and plenty of parking. This is a fun place to visit and can be enjoyed by young and old alike. read more

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There are quite a few "conversation pieces" of public art located throughout Dublin. These monumental artworks were an interesting effort on the part of the Dublin Arts Council to memorialize the local heritage of Native Americans and the town's agricultural history. A giant sculpture of the head of local chieftan, Leatherlips was created by Boston artist Ralph Helmick and dedicated on July 1, 1990. He was nicknamed Leatherlips by the white settlers who knew him never to break a promise. The monument is a twelve-foot high portrait, built in the general vicinity where Cheif Leatherlips is believed to have died. Scioto Park, within which the sculpture is located, is located off Route 33 along the Scioto River. The sculpture recedes into the hillside - somewhat reminiscent of Chief Crazy Horse's monument in South Dakota. Here, one can walk into the head to get a panoramic view of the park and river. The Leatherlips Monument looms over the outdoor amphitheatre where the Dublin Arts Council hosts its summer music series. It's a nifty stop off point if you are coming back toward town from the zoo. read more

Leatherlips Monument - Leatherlips, Scioto Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

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This was such a pretty little stop. I loved walking around the river's edge, and I can't wait to bring my kids to the natural and man made play areas. read more

I was shocked and taken aback by the beauty of the man, the myth, the legend, Leatherlips. My friends--Sona, some random chick, and myself, of course--anticipated the stunning and enthralling appearance that comes with any historical monument, but the beauty of Leatherlips was truly astonishing. One cannot put into words the powerful aesthetics of Leatherlips--words cannot do it justice. He is perfect for pictures, Christmas cards, and weddings. You can even sit on top of him! I cannot recommend this enough. I will be coming here every week for the rest of my life; it truly is that monumental (no pun intended). There is also the nearby Scioto Park which adds to the charm of the immense Leatherlips. Disclaimer: it kind of smells like pee at the top of him, but I'm willing to look past that. read more

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Me and the homies were bored and one of the homies, Adam, suggested we go here. Why this man wanted to visit a rock face we were unsure of, but we had no better suggestions. What we encountered was the most beautiful structure known to man. We took photos with him, and pet his nose. Leatherlips is cute. None of us are all that good at reading, so we don't actually know the background behind him, but I thoroughly vibe with Mr. Leatherlips. And a park is nearby! read more

Leatherlips Monument - Adam, Me, and some random chick - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

Up Riverside Drive, near the zoo, in the unexptional Scioto Park, is this, a giant head made out of stone. Rising out of the banks like a monster in a 1950s B-horror script, or a goofily dialog villain on a 1970s Super Friends animation. But as told in previous reviews, it is a bust of a Native American that once walked these banks. The white man called him Leatherlips, a Wyandot chief whose name adorns many places in Dublin. A signatory of the Treaty of Greenville, in the early 19th century he sided with the United States against Shawnee Confederacy during the War of 1812 and sold lands to the U.S. For these trespasses Tecumseh ordered his execution under trumped up charges of witchcraft. The deed was contracted to Leatherlips' brother, Roundhead, who lived at the origins of the Scioto. (There is a village bearing his name, a few miles where I grew up.) He may have canoed down himself (a feat I recently learned is harder than it looks). Despite desperate efforts by locals, Leatherlips was dispatched at the entrance of Olentangy Caverns. The monument is 12-feet tall and made of mortared limestone overlooking the river. It is kinda scary really. It was funded by Dublin's Art Council in 1990, in its ever ending quest to satisfy its unquenchable thirst for kitch. read more

Leatherlips Monument - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

I knew the Leatherlips Monument was here but had not stopped to look at it. In Scioto Park is the stone sculpture that memorializes the Wyandot chief. The monument itself is simple and not really much to look at. It is pretty nicely done though. There also is a plaque nearby with some biographical information. I can't really say anything else about the monument. This is some of the background of Leatherlips. He lived from 1732 to 1810, and was a chief in the Wyandot tribe. The Wyandots originally were from farther in the east. After conflicts with the Iroquis, the Wyandots moved to Ohio. Leatherlips signed something called the Treaty of Greenville, which ended the Northwest Indian War. It set up a boundary for lands of Native Americans and settlers. It was no surprise the settlers often ignored this. The other thing it made was a yearly grant of federal money and supplies to Native Americans, which increased the influence settlers had over them. Because of this some Wyandots were angry. They condemned Leatherlips to death for this but some historians say they made up charges of witchcraft to hide their motivations. A meeting took place near this site, and they ordered his execution. Then Leatherlips accepted it and was executed by tomahawk near the Olentangy Caverns. I think the statue is not that interesting. It was interesting learning about the history. This is more like a conversation piece and intended to spark interest of Leatherlips and Wyandot. read more

Leatherlips Monument - Leatherlips Monument - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

Awesome piece of art work. Visited this after going to the Olentangy Indian Caverns and learning about Leatherlips and his execution by Tecumseh. I really love that we have such interesting history right here in the Columbus area:) read more

Leatherlips Monument - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

This is in Scioto Park off of Riverside Drive just south of the zoo. A really nice park right on the Scioto River. There is a small amphitheater here, the Leatherlips Monument (Chief of the local Indian Tribe), three nice big shelters, a large open field, playground and river access. The shelters are usually reserved on the weekends as this is a popular place, but don't let that stop you from visiting this park. At any given time there are families, singles, outdoorsmen, fly fisherman and fitness buffs at the park. I have been here for summer camp as a kid, for scouting events and just for fun as an adult. Check it out and remember - give a hoot, don't pollute!! read more

While visiting from New Mexico, I decided to explore the area. I happened to stumble upon this beautiful park and its unusual statue. If I'm fortunate to be in the area again, I would definitely pack a lunch and come here again. read more

I grew up listening to my Grandfather tell stories about "Old Chief Leatherlips". An interesting and important man, Leatherlips made treaties with the settlers and was eventually stoned to death by his Indian peers for it. Maybe not the best choice for a bed time story, but his name always made me giggle. Growing up with Leatherlips lore is the main reason I wanted to see his monument. Located near the zoo in the Dublin/Powell area this monument is a fun roadside find. A monument of just his head ( really trying to play up the lips as a focal point?) glistens as Leatherlips gazes to the river. The monument is unique looking, I will give the artists' that. Leatherlips face is filled out by brick looking stones and has a slicked back look. What makes Leatherlips monument really odd however is the artist choice of letting the viewer walk into his head. While the front is filled in, the part that should hold Leatherlips brain is hollowed out and ready for visitors. Maybe they were trying to really get people to go inside the mind of Leatherlips, literally. Whatever the reason it does create an interesting photo op. If you are heading to the zoo, a history buff, or have always desired to pop out of someones brain the monument to Leatherlips is your dream come true. read more

A popular place for senior pictures. Not much to do here except walk along riverside and see the native american monument, which is very unique. read more

This seems fairly lame, but i've actually had a soft spot for it for a long time. It's much cooler in person than it seems in pictures. I used to go as a kid and pretend to be the hair of leatherlips even though I think that what is connecting him to the hillside is supposed to be his hair (which is a little creepy when you look at it like that). read more