Have you ever wondered about our “Little Wooden Guy” when you visit Prince George? Or have lived here for years and still do not know too much about him? His name is Mr. PG and he is the hallmark of our quaint little city, being visible when passing the intersection of major highways 97 and 16. After going through many design and location changes since his creation, Mr. PG is the object of exciting local history and creative ways the city uses his likeness.
- Mr. PG’s Birthday:
First, a little crash course in how Mr. PG first came to be. In 1950, Prince George’s Mayor Harold Moffat decided Prince George needed a mascot, a figure local citizens and out-of-town visitors can identify with the city and its culture. From his official debut in 1960 to today, Mr. PG has undergone multiple looks and changes in location, all of which will be revealed as you keep reading. Although the idea for Mr. PG and the creation process began in the 1950s, the Northern BC Capital’s mascot’s official birthday falls on May 8th, 1960. So, when that day comes around each year, be sure to give Mr. PG some extra love, especially those who are birthday twins with Mr. PG!
- Mr. PG’s Home:
Mr. PG’s current home in Prince George is along the intersection of Highways 97 and 16, but it wasn’t always where he resided. At the beginning, Mr. PG’s first home was in downtown Prince George in front of the former Simon Fraser Hotel on Quebec Street. A few years later, he was moved in front of the Chamber of Commerce on George Street, even located closer to our Visitor Information Centre at the time. In 1970, Mr. PG finally relocated to the stop we all know to this day, conveniently visible to everyone who enters Prince George through Highway 97 or Highway 16.
When you come visit us in Prince George, take some time to stop by Highways 97 and 16 to take your own picture with the friendly mascot, or you can even just wave to him as you drive by!
- The Many Faces of Mr. PG:
Just as we all grow up and go through changes, so does Mr. PG over the decades he’s been around. His original design by Moffat represented a simpler design for the Northern icon with a shorter rectangular body compared to his now more cylinder torso, his hardhat with “Mr Pee Gee” written on it, and he even had no hands to hold his flag. Other iterations around the time saw Mr. PG wearing a snazzy black and white suit. Not only has his face and clothing changed, but so did his height. In 1960, Mr. PG stood a proud 5 feet/1.5 metres tall, seeing eye-to-eye with visitors and welcoming people to the Simon Fraser Hotel. This initial height made for easy pictures with the mascot. In the 1960s to spread the word of Mr. PG, a 38-foot version of him was created for various parades to represent Prince George – not just towering over everyone, but floating over them too! As of 2026, Mr. PG now stands a whopping 27 feet/8.14 metres, towering over the highways and greeting visitors coming from either direction into town.
- Made of Wood, Full of Heart (sort of):
Mr. PG is a reflection of the history of the booming forestry industry in Prince George, much like the iconic Paul Bunyan. In collaboration with sawmill owner Hans Roine, Harold Moffat was able to have his all-wooden figure idea become reality. Although he was originally fully made of wood, following his complete makeover, Mr. PG is now made of metal and fiberglass to maintain his timeless appearance over the decades. Even so, “Made of Wood, Full of Heart” is a slogan that still rings true to attest to his charming presence and representation for all of Prince George, the Northern Capital of BC with a booming forestry industry.
- Papa Mr. PG:
Everyone loves mini versions of beloved characters, figures, and animals. Think of chibi forms of your favourite anime character or remembering when your older dog was just a puppy. Our Mr. PG has one of those too, in the form of a telephone booth located in front of the Chamber of Commerce in 1970. Mr. PG Junior, also known as “Son of Mr. Pee Gee” by the local press, stood 12 feet tall and was created by the BC Telephone Company. With an actual working telephone attached in the inside of his belly, Junior provides a fun way to make phone calls and now resides in the Exploration Place’s outdoor garden area, solidifying his place in local Prince George history for everyone to look back on.
- A Theme Song of His Own:
Like any icon, Mr. PG has attracted fans from all over Canada and the world. One such figure includes Al Simmons, a singer and songwriter from Manitoba whose love for the mascot has inspired the creation of the song appropriately titled: “Mr. PG”. This 5-minute tune delves into the history, changes, and impact the statue has on Prince George and beyond. A song fun for all ages, this catchy tune features an upbeat rhythm and even character voices to tell the story. So, if you want to learn about the history of Mr. PG in a fun and entertaining way, this is the song for you!
You can listen to the ‘Mr. PG’ song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DUsDtAExMo
7. Plushie Form with Unique Outfits:
Do you want to express your love for Mr. PG from the comfort of your own home? Or pass on that legacy to the younger generation in the family? Both the plushie version of Mr. PG and his smaller keychain size are some of the most popular forms for “lovers of all things Mr. PG” to have and take a piece of Prince George with them wherever they go. On special occasions, the Mr. PG plushie expresses his sense of fashion and shows us his various little outfits such as a rainbow suit for Pride Month, a Santa suit for Christmas, and even a grad cap and gown to mark the end of the school season. Be on the lookout for when these iconic costumes make their seasonal returns!
- Mr. Worldwide Traveller:
Do you know how to spot a fellow Prince Georgian in the wild? Mr. PG has been a favourite to travel with, whether he is in his plushie form, peeking out from colourful socks, or as just his face on a keychain or luggage tag.
Even from his early days. Mr. PG has made his way to Vancouver twice and Kelowna once to feature in parades as a taller 38-foot version of himself in the 1960s, gaining national recognition and taking home both gold and silver medals for his efforts. Internationally, Mr. PG has seen famous landmarks in South America and Europe, gone scuba diving, and even set up shop in a Scottish pub as the “Iron Jock”.
A notably popular trend is to photograph Mr. PG with iconic international landmarks and share them to local forums and media. To see the unique ways Mr. PG can travel with you, come visit us at the Visitor Information Centre.
If you are still interested in Mr. PG history, check out the Exploration Place’s exhibit on the city’s mascot, then come visit us at the Visitor Information Centre for more information and exciting Mr. PG souvenirs!