Samson, the Hot Tub Bear 5" figurine adorns the Monrovia Historical Museum's 'Icons Exhibit' amid the mountains of Monrovia (created for the museum in 2023 by Mike Andrews, MHM board member). If you are a Monrovian living in the hills, chances are you have probably seen or even encountered a bear in your lifetime. Today, many stories abound of residents’ encounters, some have gone viral and some have even been featured in the network news! Here at the Monrovia Historical Museum, we take bear stories quite seriously! Several of our own board members have either been visited by bears in their home or have spotted them in their neighborhood!
And then of course, there’s the legendary Samson, The Hot Tub Bear. So popular was he that in 1994, even the Governor of California was summoned to take action in saving his life! There’s more to that story, of course, and if you’re not privy to the story of Samson, just Google him. Better yet, get the book “Samson the Hot Tub Bear: A True Story” for your kids and grandkids. He is such a legend that the city adopted him as its mascot. See link below to read more about the city's bear statues erected all over Monrovia!
Last year, Mike Andrews, Monrovia resident and retired art professor at Otis College of Art and Design, joined the Museum board, and very quickly came up with designs to replace an old miniature paper model of Samson (and the hot tub) in our icons exhibit. What followed were more artistic creations by Mike, depicting Samson on our T-shirts, key chains, our cash donation receptacle, and if you haven’t noticed, Samson is now also in all our newsletters and ads!
Samson The Hot Tub Bear is, without a doubt, a permanent fixture in the Monrovia scene. He is as much a historical figure as William Monroe, and his legacy lives on in Monrovia’s history!
Learn More About Samson Links:
And then of course, there’s the legendary Samson, The Hot Tub Bear. So popular was he that in 1994, even the Governor of California was summoned to take action in saving his life! There’s more to that story, of course, and if you’re not privy to the story of Samson, just Google him. Better yet, get the book “Samson the Hot Tub Bear: A True Story” for your kids and grandkids. He is such a legend that the city adopted him as its mascot. See link below to read more about the city's bear statues erected all over Monrovia!
Last year, Mike Andrews, Monrovia resident and retired art professor at Otis College of Art and Design, joined the Museum board, and very quickly came up with designs to replace an old miniature paper model of Samson (and the hot tub) in our icons exhibit. What followed were more artistic creations by Mike, depicting Samson on our T-shirts, key chains, our cash donation receptacle, and if you haven’t noticed, Samson is now also in all our newsletters and ads!
Samson The Hot Tub Bear is, without a doubt, a permanent fixture in the Monrovia scene. He is as much a historical figure as William Monroe, and his legacy lives on in Monrovia’s history!
Learn More About Samson Links:
- City of Monrovia's Samson Page link
- California Sun article on the Monrovia Fire Department Mascot
- Goodreads link
- Monrovia Reads YouTube video with Jim Wigton, Monrovia Historic Preservation Group (MOHPG)
- HeySocal/Monrovia Weekly on the unveiling of the Steve Baker Bear
- LAist feature on Old Town Bear Statues with map
- LA Times article on Samson’s Death
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