Jumbo the Elephant Memorial — Attraction in St. Thomas

This massive statue of Jumbo isn’t just an eye-catching roadside stop — it’s a memorial to a tragic moment in history. Jumbo was a beloved African circus elephant who met a heartbreaking end here after being struck by a train many years ago. The statue stands tall today as a tribute, honoring his memory and the mark he left on this town.

Standing beside it, you can’t help but feel a mix of awe and sadness. The craftsmanship is stunning, and the sheer size makes it feel alive in its own way. My child was amazed and curious about Jumbo’s story, and it sparked a meaningful conversation about animals, history, and respect.

There was also a ticket counter in a train wagon which was closed on the Sunday we went. Not sure what the tickets are for but the statue itself was free and open.

It’s a quick, free stop — but one that leaves a lasting impression. If you’re passing through St. Thomas, take a few minutes to visit, reflect,...

Get your tissues ready. This is a life-sized statue of the most famous elephant in the world, Jumbo. He was tragically killed in Saint Thomas on September 15, 1885 when he was stuck by a locomotive. A terrible accident and on the 100th anniversary, the city dedicated this 38 ton statue as a tribute.

There is parking nearby and you can get a great picture with "The King of Elephants" here.

From the Atlas Obscura article, "It would be easy to assume that Jumbo was named 'Jumbo' because he was so large. At over 13 feet he was definitely tall for an African elephant, but it was the other way around. His name—thought to derive from the Swahili word 'jambo' for 'hello', or 'jumbe' for 'chief' or 'boss'—came before 'jumbo' was slang word for huge. The word that today is used to describe everything from giant shrimp to oversized paper towel rolls comes from the boss elephant himself." And that's...

This is such a weird idea. An elephant briefly stops by and then dies in an accident, so build a statue. Probably the only elephant memorial of its kind, that's how weird it is. I admit, we missed Jumbo from the road when we drove into town. It was also quirky to find. Now we know it's there I'm a bit shocked we didn't notice it right away. I guess even when you know there's going to be an elephant statue you don't really expect it. The statue itself is a fantastic giant elephant. Impressively giant and elephantine. Top marks. It manages to be exactly at advertised and still...