Controversial I-5 billboard sold to Chehalis Tribe after decades of backlash
The Brief
The Chehalis Tribe purchased the property housing the controversial "Uncle Sam" billboard along I-5 in Lewis County, a symbol of free speech and local debate since the 1960s.
The billboard, originally erected out of spite by Alfred Hamilton, faced legal challenges and public petitions for removal, but remains unchanged despite recent rumors.
The tribe is unsure of future plans for the site, but is pleased to have acquired it, while the billboard continues to stir emotions and controversy.
LEWIS COUNTY, Wash. - A decades-old lightning rod along Interstate 5 in Lewis County has officially changed hands.
The Chehalis Tribe has purchased the property housing the infamous "Uncle Sam" billboard — a towering and polarizing symbol that's drawn both fierce criticism and staunch defense since it first went up in the mid-60s.
What they're saying
"I mean you just can't miss it. It's right on I-5," said real estate agent Israel Jimenez, who handled the sale. "Everyone, everywhere who is passing through here seems to know about it."
The parcel off Exit 75 had been listed for $2.5 million. According to Jimenez, the Chehalis Tribe reached out within the first week of his posting.
"The tribe doesn't even really know what they're going to do with it. They're just excited that they got it back," he said.
Jimenez, a Napavine native, said the billboard has long stirred emotions.
The backstory
"This has been here since 1967, and just shortly after it was put up, it immediately had pushback," said Jimenez. "Within a decade there was a lawsuit to remove it."
That lawsuit came in 1971, when then-Attorney General Slade Gorton sued under the Scenic Vistas Act, aiming to have the sign removed. But the Washington State Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of billboard owner Alfred Hamilto on the grounds of free speech.
According to local historian Feliks Banel, the now-infamous owner originally erected the sign out of spite.
"He had a turkey farm, and they put Interstate 5 through, and he got compensated for the land, but not to the degree that he wanted to because it was a public eminent domain project, and so he puts up this sign and starts making comments," said Banel. "It became literally a lightning rod for controversy."
After decades of changing the messaging, Hamilton passed away in 2004.
"His family members have sort of kept up the tradition, but nowhere to the degree that Mr. Hamilton did," said Banel.
Local perspective
In 2020, efforts to remove the billboard intensified. There was a public petition signed by more than 75,000 people and then an arson attempt too.
This week, after news broke that the tribe had purchased the property, false rumors spread online that the messaging on the billboard had already been changed.
FOX 13 Seattle traveled in-person to the sign location and determined the images and claims were fake. The signage has not changed in years. FOX 13 also contacted the Chehalis Tribe for comment but has not heard back.
The Source
Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Lauren Donovan.
Search for Travis Decker: Authorities identify 'new details, new search areas' in WA
Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past
Woman dies after Seattle house fire; arson investigation underway
Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle
11 injured after teen speeds, causes fiery crash in Lacey
Man hurt after shooting near University of Washington
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
9 minutes ago
- CNN
ICE protests nationwide come as agency scrambles to meet Trump's immigration arrest quotas
Protests unfolding nationwide against President Donald Trump's immigration agenda come as Immigration and Customs Enforcement races to meet White House arrest quotas. Since Trump took office, ICE, which had previously been operating with a set of guidelines focused on public safety and national security threats, has had to pivot as the key agency at the core of the president's campaign promise to carry out mass deportations. While the administration has touted its immigration crackdown publicly, privately officials have come under fire for failing to meet White House arrest quotas, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, For some agents, the greater latitude was a welcome move, allowing them to have more discretion on who they arrest. Still, agents have continued to come under pressure from senior Trump officials to arrest more people, including those with no criminal records. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, architect of the administration's most hardline immigration policies, communicated that urgency in a meeting last month with senior ICE officials, telling agents to search anywhere and everywhere for undocumented immigrants, according to multiple sources. ICE agents have shown up at routine immigration checks, immigration courts, and worksites, among other locations. The speed at which agents are trying to arrest migrants in the United States has raised alarm among immigrant advocates and former ICE officials. White House border czar Tom Homan maintained this week that despite protests, ICE operations to enforce Trump's immigration policies would continue. 'They'll continue every day, not only in California, Los Angeles, they're gonna continue every city across the country – we have teams throughout the country that are out there looking for those in the country,' Homan told CNN's Kaitlan Collins Monday on 'The Source.' 'We're in every city and country, and ICE is going to be out every single day and will continue to be there regardless what's happening in LA.' The arrests have also strained ICE detention, serving as yet another reminder of the logistical challenges the administration still faces as it tries to ramp up deportations. As of Monday, there were about 55,000 people in ICE custody. The agency, which relies in part on cooperation with local jails, is only funded for 41,500 beds.
Washington Post
14 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Appeals court lets Trump administration keep collecting tariffs while challenges continue
WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court agreed Tuesday to let the government keep collecting President Donald Trump's sweeping import taxes while challenges to his signature trade policy continue on appeal. The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit extends a similar ruling it made after another federal court struck down the tariffs May 28, saying Trump had overstepped his authority. Noting that the challenges to Trump's tariffs raise 'issues of exceptional importance,'' the appeals court said it would expedite the case and hear arguments July 31.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Appeals court lets Trump administration keep collecting tariffs while challenges continue
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court agreed Tuesday to let the government keep collecting President Donald Trump's sweeping import taxes while challenges to his signature trade policy continue on appeal. The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit extends a similar ruling it made after another federal court struck down the tariffs May 28, saying Trump had overstepped his authority. Noting that the challenges to Trump's tariffs raise "issues of exceptional importance,'' the appeals court said it would expedite the case and hear arguments July 31. The case involves 10% tariffs the president imposed on almost every country in April and bigger ones he imposed and then suspended on countries with which the United States runs trade deficits. It also involves tariffs Trump plastered on imports from China, Canada and Mexico to pressure them to do more to stop the illegal flow of immigrants and synthetic opioids across the U.S. border. In declaring the tariffs, Trump had invoked emergency powers under a 1977 law. But a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled he had exceeded his power. The tariffs upended global trade, paralyzed businesses and spooked financial markets. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
