Teenagers Topple Oregon's Duckbill Rock Formation

Duckbill was a sandstone hoodoo rock formation at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, in the U.S. state of Oregon. The formation was a frequently-photographed tourist attraction on the Oregon Coast. It was destroyed by a group of teenage vandals who toppled the stone on August 29, 2016.[1][2][3][4] The vandals said they destroyed the formation as "a public service" which eliminated what they called "a safety hazard" because a friend of theirs had broken a leg on the rock formation.[5] However, Chris Havel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department associate director, noted that the formation was fenced-off and signs warned visitors against approaching it: "The fence is very clear; you have to intentionally move the wires aside and crawl through it."[6] None of the vandals have ever been caught.[7] ^ "People thought this iconic Oregon rock formation fell on its own. Then a video emerged". washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2016. ^ Stapleton, AnneClaire (September 6, 2016). "Vandals topple Oregon's iconic rock formation". cnn.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2016. ^ "The Destroyers of a Beloved Rock Formation Claimed They Were 'Doing the World or Oregon a Favor'". esquire.com. September 6, 2016. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2016. ^ Saul, Emily (September 5, 2016). "Video shows vandals destroying iconic Oregon rock formation". nypost.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016. ^ Chokshi, Niraj (September 8, 2016). "Oregon police look for people who destroyed popular "Duckbill" rock formation". Alaska Dispatch News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016. ^ "The destruction of a social media 'rock star'". BBC News. September 10, 2016. Archived from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018. ^ Urness, Zach. "Police stumped on Cape Kiwanda 'duckbill rock' vandalism, want public's help". Statesman Journal. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2020. Media related to Duckbill (rock formation) at Wikimedia Commons 2016 disestablishments in Oregon Defunct tourist attractions in the United States Destroyed rock formations Rock formations of Oregon Sandstone formations of the United States Tourist attractions in Oregon Vandalism in the United States Oregon geologic formation stubs Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas Articles with short description Short description matches Wikidata Use mdy dates from April 2026 Commons category link from Wikidata