Uncle Sam statue returns Tuesday to Garrison Road after restoration
October 18, 2025 at 1:34 AM
UPDATE | OCTOBER 21, 2025 @ 7:55 A.M.: Emily Butko Wallis confirmed in a written statement to Fort Erie Radio on Tuesday that the Uncle Sam statue will not be returned to Garrison Road until Friday due to poor weather conditions.
ORIGINAL STORY | OCTOBER 18, 2025 @ 1:34 P.M.: The 36-foot Uncle Sam statue is set to return above Delta Bingo next week after a two-week restoration.
The landmark was removed earlier this month for repairs, which sparked some heated discussion among residents about whether it would or should come back. The Niagara Falls firm behind the work says the figure is now fully restored and ready to be reinstalled in its long-time Garrison Road spot.
The freshly painted face of Uncle Sam shows detail work completed by local artist Elaine Wallis as part of the restoration project in Niagara Falls ahead of the statue’s return to Fort Erie. Credit: Emily Butko Wallis | Signature Sign and ImageSignature Sign and Image handled the repainting and repairs at its Niagara Falls shop. The company told Fort Erie Radio in an emailed statement that the project involved a full repaint, structural work and a protective clear coat before preparing the piece for reinstallation.
“The entire piece was hand-painted over a two-week period here in our Niagara Falls shop by our in-house painter, Ryan Crawford, with the face and hands beautifully brought back to life by local artist Elaine Wallis,” said Emily Butko Wallis, business director.
Wallis said her team is working with PRW Excavating Contractors Ltd. to put the statue back in place Tuesday.
A worker repaints the 36-foot Uncle Sam statue by hand during restoration at Signature Sign and Image’s Niagara Falls shop. Credit: Emily Butko Wallis | Signature Sign and ImageThe statue, which weighs 3,600 pounds, was removed from the roof using a 20-ton crane and a 45-foot trailer. That process, handled by the same company, took three hours and drew mixed reactions from onlookers and online commenters.
Some residents feared the statue might be gone for good, while others saw it as a chance to replace the figure with a more Canadian symbol amid Canada-U.S. trade tensions.
The Ridgeway-based owners of Signature Sign and Image say projects like this are part of their effort to preserve familiar landmarks across Niagara.
“It’s always rewarding to work on projects that capture local pride and curiosity, especially right here in our own town,” said Wallis.
Uncle Sam will be returned to his spot above Delta Bingo by Tuesday evening. Credit: Emily Butko Wallis | Signature Sign and ImageWallis noted the firm has also restored neon signs in Port Colborne and designed signage for Crystal Beach, the Friendship Trail and Greater Fort Erie Secondary School.
Residents can expect to see Uncle Sam restored to his familiar pose overlooking Garrison Road by Tuesday evening.
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About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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