Roy Rogers and Trigger
Monument Project
The Roy Rogers Statue Committee is chaired by Portsmouth's own nationally renowned musician, Jacob Tolliver.
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​Roy Rogers grew up on Duck Run Road in Rush Township, just northwest of the City of Portsmouth. His childhood home still stands.
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Roy Rogers and his famous mount, Trigger, are honored on the Portsmouth Floodwall Murals. Image courtesy of Portsmouth Murals, Inc.​
The Roy Rogers Esplanade is an important park and plaza at the center of Downtown Portsmouth, located at the intersection of Chillicothe Street and Gallia Street. Small Businesses are located on the Roy Rogers Esplanade, and it is bookended by the new Portsmouth City Building and the Southern Ohio Museum.
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The plaza was dedicated to Roy Rogers in 1959. Roy Rogers frequently returned to Portsmouth to participate in parades and festivals.
​​Roy Rogers remains a strong role model for youth around the world. As a young man, Jacob Tolliver was no exception. At age 11, Jacob Tolliver started this campaign to add a monument honoring Roy Rogers to the Roy Rogers Esplanade by writing a letter to the Editor of the Portsmouth Daily Times.
As an adult with a successful career as a musician, Jacob Tolliver returns to Portsmouth to continue his campaign for a monument to Roy Rogers on the Roy Rogers Esplanade. The goal of the Roy Rogers and Trigger Monument Project is to raise $70,000 in funds to add a life-size bronze equestrian statue of Roy Rogers and his beloved horse, Trigger, to the Roy Rogers Esplanade.
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The monument is proposed to be placed between the Roy Rogers Esplanade Stage and the sidewalk near Chillicothe Street. The statue will be mounted on a stone pillar which will be etched with the names of the project's largest Donors. The monument will include an interpretive plaque to educate the public about the importance of Roy Rogers as the King of the Cowboys, as well as his connection to Portsmouth and Scioto County, Ohio.
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​The monument will also include the replacement of the signatures, footprints, and handprints of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans made in concrete for installation at the Roy Rogers Esplanade in the early 1980s.
​Below is a rough conceptual rendering of what the statue might look like. A more detailed version with correct placement will be added as the project evolves.
Donors to the Roy Rogers Statue Project will be recognized
with their names permanently etched into the statue's stone base.
Roy Rogers & Trigger Monument
Sponsor Levels
Trigger Trailblazer - $1,000 to $2,499
Inspired by Roy Rogers' iconic golden palomino,
this Donor Level celebrates those who set the pace for progress
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Happy Trails Partner - $2,500 to $4,999​
Named after Roy Rogers and Dale Evans' signature song, this Donor Level honors those who help create a brighter path for our Community.
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Sliver Saddle Sponsor - $5,000 to $9,999​
A nod to Roy Rogers' legendary silver-studded parade saddle, this Donor Level recognizes those whose generosity elevates the project with standout impact and visible enhancements.
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King of the Cowboys Champion - $10,000 to $20,000​
Roy Rogers' famous title becomes the top tier for project Donors, reserved for those whose leadership gifts make transformative progress possible, leaving a lasting legacy.​​
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Smaller donations in custom amounts are also accepted for this project.
All Donors will be recognized at the unveiling event for the monument.
Volunteers at Main Street Portsmouth In Bloom have been the stewards of the Roy Rogers Esplanade for nearly 20 years as one of our adopted City Parks.
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Main Street Portsmouth In Bloom Board of Directors and Volunteers have agreed to be stewards of the funds raised on behalf of the Roy Rogers Statue Committee.
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To make a donation to the Roy Rogers and Trigger Monument Project online, please use the secure portal below.
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To make a donation to the project with cash or check, please contact our office at 740-464-0203 or email director@mspohio.org
Happy Trails!
