Vandals Damage Historic Bronze Monument at Honeyman State Park Near Florence

A bronze sculpture that has stood at Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park since 1986 was knocked over and cut in two places in what Oregon State Police believe was an attempted theft, leaving one of the Oregon coast's most historically significant public artworks too damaged to remain on site.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department confirmed that the "Eye of the Needle" monument, located near the Cleawox Day-use parking area, was vandalized in an apparent attempted theft between Monday evening, March 2, and Tuesday morning, March 3. The monument's structure appeared to be knocked over and cut in two places, resulting in significant damage.

The bronze "Eye of the Needle" was dedicated to honor Jessie M. Honeyman in 1986, recognizing her tireless advocacy for Oregon's natural resources and scenery along the state's highways. The statue was sculpted by Gordon Newell and is a registered art piece with the Smithsonian. Honeyman, who lived from 1852 to 1948, was a Portland resident and a leading advocate of roadside beautification, Oregon parks, and scenic preservation.

Park staff removed the monument for public safety and to prevent further harm as they evaluate the extent of the damage and develop a plan for repairs. At this time, there is no established timeline for repair or reinstallation. Restoring a Smithsonian-registered bronze of this scale typically requires specialized foundry work, and the cost of conservation can be substantial.

The incident fits a broader pattern of metal theft from public spaces, where bronze artworks are targeted for their scrap value. The cuts to the "Eye of the Needle" are consistent with an attempt to detach the piece for removal rather than simple defacement, pointing to a calculated act rather than opportunistic damage.

Oregon State Police are investigating the case under case number SP26072324. OPRD asked anyone with information about the vandalism to contact authorities. The parks agency's public appeal serves a dual purpose: identifying those responsible and signaling that damage to listed cultural resources carries consequences.

The park lies 3 miles south of Florence along Highway 101 and remains open to visitors. OPRD said it will provide updates when a repair plan and reinstallation timeline are finalized. Until then, the Cleawox Day-use area will be without the sculpture that, for four decades, marked the site as something more than a parking lot beside the dunes.