The Rise, Fall, and Revival of the Ivy Bear: A Highway 26 Landmark
For decades, travelers along U.S. Highway 26 in Oregon have been greeted by an unusual roadside landmark—the towering Ivy Bear at Alder Creek. This massive, vine-covered structure has a history as unique as the man who built it. From its origins as a tribute to a beloved pet to its dramatic collapse and eventual revival, the Ivy Bear remains a cherished piece of Mount Hood history.
The Man Behind the Bear
The story of the Ivy Bear begins with Gerald Wear, a skilled craftsman, dog trainer, and builder who lived in Alder Creek, Oregon. Wear, who was deaf, was known for his ingenuity and love of animals. In addition to training German Shepherds, he took care of a pet bear, which he kept in a cage near the roadside. The bear entertained travelers who stopped along the two-lane highway, becoming an unofficial mascot of the area.
However, as the story goes, the bear’s love for handouts—particularly candy bars, soda pop, and bottle caps—led to its untimely death. Heartbroken, Wear decided to honor his beloved bear by constructing a larger-than-life ivy-covered statue in its memory.
Building the Largest Ivy Structure in the World
In 1947, Wear began constructing the Ivy Bear. Using a wooden frame and chicken wire, he planted ivy around the structure, which eventually covered its entire surface. The project took more than a year to complete.
At the time, it was considered the largest ivy-covered structure in the world. Travelers passing through Alder Creek soon became accustomed to seeing the massive bear standing watch beside the road. Wear even added special touches to bring his creation to life—inside the bear was a rear door and scaffolding leading to its head. At night, he would climb inside and light up the bear’s eyes with candles, later replacing them with old Volkswagen taillights.
A Growing Landmark
Over the years, the Ivy Bear became more famous than the businesses on the property. Skiers heading to Mount Hood developed a tradition of saluting the bear for good luck. Wear continued to expand his creations, building houses and water wheels in the Alder Creek area.
In 1972, Wear passed away, but the Ivy Bear remained, standing as a testament to his creativity and craftsmanship.
June 1984: The Fall of the Ivy Bear
For nearly 40 years, the Ivy Bear stood tall. However, time and weather eventually took their toll. On June 18, 1984, a light breeze was all it took for the aging wooden structure to collapse. The bear lurched forward and landed on its massive tin snout. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the wooden beams supporting the ivy had rotted at the base.
Despite the relatively minor damage to its exterior, the bear could not stand on its own again. The loss of the Ivy Bear was felt throughout the community, with travelers slowing down or stopping along the highway to search for their missing roadside friend. Even the Portland Chamber of Commerce became involved, reaching out to the property’s owners in hopes of restoring the landmark.
A Community Effort to Bring Back the Bear
Recognizing the bear’s importance, local residents and organizations came together to bring it back. Ron Rhoades, owner of the Ivy Bear Restaurant at the time, along with Michael P. Jones from the Cascade Geographic Society and the the Friends of the Ivy Bear launched a fundraiser in 1987. Their mission: to rebuild the beloved structure.
By 1990, enough money had been raised to reconstruct the Ivy Bear. This time, it was built with a steel frame to ensure its longevity.
The Ivy Bear Stands Again
The revival of the Ivy Bear was met with excitement from the community. Once again, there was hope that it would once again stand proudly along Highway 26, welcoming travelers and serving as a nostalgic reminder of Oregon’s roadside history. Today, it stands, albeit it a bit untrimmed, as a landmark to visitors of Mount Hood and a tribute to Gerald Wear’s vision, craftsmanship, and love for animals.
That is really cool. Had heard about this bear…
I’ll be posting more about Alder Creek’s history soon. Thank you Mark.
Hello. I am Corrie Beach. My family and I lived across the street from the Ivy Bear in the last 60s and early 70s. If you look across the hwy you will see a road that I walked every morning and afternoon aft er the school bus would me up or would drop me off. during the early 70 the Mt hood hwy had been redone and it is now what you drive on now. It only hade 2 lanes. it has 2 lanes east and west. I am the daughter of the late Douglas Beach. He had a TV repair shop in Sandy and also at Wemme, Oregon. I grew up with my childhood friends The Bowmans. The golf course used to be the Bowmans Golf Course.
Hello Corrie. Thank you so very much for sharing. If you have any more remembrances or even some photos that you like to share, we’d love to see and hear them. Thank you.
I remember your family corrie beach im Mike Bogart we lived on alder dr. On your side of hwy they had live beers where the log cabin is at one time pizza restaurant was a gift shop wood carver next door was the Forest Inn i still have family there..
My parents ran the old Alder Creek Restaurant in the 60’s
I remember the name Bogart. I also remember the Forest Inn. I remember the Durrs. Della and Trudee Bigelow. The Hamils, which later on became my step brothers and step sister. Im still in touch with the Bowman girls. (Women now)! Facebook has all connected!
When I saw that the electricity had been shut down from Alder Creek all the way to government camp, I got worried for everyone there. Im glad that they did that so that the mt hood forest doesnt get burned down. Awful to think about. Be safe out there.
I live in Texas and think of my child hood often. Growing up on Mt hood was a blessing. Wish I could do it all over again. My father Doug Beach passed away 10 years ago.
Vicki Hamil passed away Dec 2019. My mother Faye is still alive. My dads brother Gerry Beach who lived in welches is still alive in Ferndale Washington.
Happy Trails.
Tight LInes
Corrie Beach
My name is Robin Gestring. My parents bought a cabin in Rhodohdendron in 1969, which we still own. We went to dinner at the Ivy Bear as a real treat, and always waved to the Ivy Bear going up and down the mountain as kids. So many great memories of our iconic mountain structures, restaurants and businesses.
Salute the Bear!
My parents were regulars at the Alder Creek Inn in the 70’s. Let me know if you want to talk to my dad.
My parents Jess and Lee Revel ran the Alder Creek Restaurant in the 1960’s
Do you have any stories or photos from then that you’d be willing to share Rita?
Was there a bear pit with a live bear in when your parents ran it?
So neat! I’ll check with my parents to see if they have any photos as well – I remember quite a few pictures around and I think my mom still has them. (They owned the restaurant in the early 70’s, Hans and Ulla D’Alessio.)
I would appreciate that a lot. I’m always looking for more photos of the Ivy Bear. 🙂
Hello all
I’m Eddie and I am a host/cook at Ivy Bear Pizzeria..we are going to celebrating our 10 year anniversary in November and would love to have some of the people that remember the Ivy Bear from years ago stop by to share their memories with a whole new generation of folks who love this place as much as you do..please contact me…. 209 409 0459
When is it Eddie. ?
When I was a lil kid, in the 50’s sometime, there was a REAL Bear in a cage in front of the tavern…..The loggers who frequented the bar used to give the bear cans of beer….He probably stayed drunk all the time….
Hi, my name is marin. My family moved to a home on the Sandy river back in the 60,s. A deaf man , by the name of Gerald Warre built the Ivy Bear. At night he would climb the ladder inside and light up the eyes with candles. He lived in a trailer on our street.My first job was at the Ivy Bear Rest. Han,s Dalessio owned both, he was from Switzerland and lived on Sullivan way. He was a chef at the Forest Inn, Dave was a cook at Ivy Bear. Boy I know a lot of history on the mountain.Alder creek was a great place to grow up.
My name is Jeff Parker, I grew up skiing on Mt Hood. My dad would load our entire family from Portland in our station wagon in the late 50’s as we headed up skiing. After the bear was built one of the two superstitions that we practiced on every trip was to lift our legs off the floor of the car as we drove by the Ivy bear to ensure a safe trip on the mountain. The other was to turn off the radio, and no one say a word as we passed through silent rock. I practiced that with my kids as they grew up and most likely will pass it on to my grandchildren someday.
Silent Rock was a tradition with my parents and my brother and I when we were kids. I carried on the tradition to my children. Thank you for sharing Jeff.
We still honor Silent Rock, and have passed it on to our grandchildren…
Thank you for sharing. Love to hear history of our community.