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Chief Little Owl Totem Pole
A towering tribute to local Nanticoke heritage, Chief Little Owl has welcomed visitors to Bethany Beach since 1976.
Chief Little Owl is a landmark totem pole at the entrance to Bethany Beach, Delaware, dedicated to Charles C. “Little Owl” Clark, a former chief of the Nanticoke tribe. Carved by Peter Wolf Toth as part of his Trail of the Whispering Giants, it's a tribute to Native American heritage.
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A brief summary to Chief Little Owl
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
214 DE-26, Bethany Beach, Delaware, 19930, US
Discover more about Chief Little Owl
The Chief Little Owl totem pole has been a welcoming figure in Bethany Beach since 1976. The current 24-foot carving is actually the third iteration, the first having succumbed to termite damage in 1992. Peter Wolf Toth, the original sculptor, returned in 2002 to create the current version from red cedar, ensuring its longevity.
The totem pole is dedicated to Charles C. “Little Owl” Clark, who served as chief of the Nanticokes from 1933 until his death in 1971. The Clark family has deep roots with the Nanticoke Tribe, dating back to the early 1700s in the Indian River area. The totem features a carving of Chief Little Owl and an eagle.
Toth's inspiration came from a desire to honor Native Americans, and he created similar totem poles for every state in the U.S. The name totem pole comes from the Algonquian word odoodem, meaning “his kinship group” of family or clans of Native Americans. Though often called a totem pole, Toth distinguished his work as art that “depicts an Indian, not copies of Indian art”.
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Getting There
Walking
Chief Little Owl is located at the intersection of Route 26 and Garfield Parkway, marking the entrance to downtown Bethany Beach. From most points in the downtown area, it's easily accessible on foot. From the Bethany Beach boardwalk, walk west along Garfield Parkway for approximately 2 blocks. The Totem Pole will be on your left as you approach the intersection.
Public Transport
The Bethany Beach Trolley provides free transport around the town. It operates from Memorial Day through mid-September. You can flag down the trolley anywhere along its route, except on Route 26 and Route 1. The DART Beach Bus also serves Bethany Beach, with a stop at Garfield Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, about a 7-minute walk from the Totem Pole. A daily pass on the DART Beach Bus costs $4.
Driving
If driving, approach Bethany Beach via Route 26. The Totem Pole is located right at the intersection of Route 26 and Garfield Parkway. Note that parking in Bethany Beach during the peak season (May 15 - September 15) is paid parking. The rate is $4.00 per hour. You can pay at pay stations using credit cards or quarters, or via the Parkmobile app. Daily parking permits are available for purchase online, but these are not valid on Garfield Parkway. Parking is free outside of the peak season.
A brief summary to Chief Little Owl
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