Major the Bull Sculpture
Phone: (919) 687-0288
No trip to Durham is complete without a visit to CCB Plaza to see Major the Bull, a gigantic bronze bull ready to greet you in the center of downtown. In 2003, Central Carolina Bank (now Truist) commissioned the 10-foot, one-ton statue. The iconic bull was cast by Liberty Arts to be an icon for the City of Durham, named for George "Major" Watts Hill, an executive at CCB Bank and Durham City Councilmember. It is said to be good luck to rub Major's horns.
Hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Map
Google Rating
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If you are visiting Durham, Major is a must stop for a good photo opportunity. Lots of history and Major is the mascot of the town... You know The Durham Bulls and all. Lots of detail in the statue even down the extreme size of his manhood. -
This is an historic area of Durham, NC. Great place to visit. Lots of hotels, great restaurants to choose from, ice cream shops and shopping.
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A+ | One of the staple statues of North Carolina. This bull represents the power and stability of our people. I have pics of the bull at a a full 360 degree view taken September 2017.
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Of course, when I heard rubbing the bull’s horns is supposed to bring you good luck, I had to test my luck and make sure I got ALL of it. 😂🍀
It’s a fun little stop right by the visitor center and in a great area to walk around and explore. Definitely pop into the visitor center while you’re there because they can point you toward some other cool spots nearby — including the old bank vault inside the 21c Museum Hotel, which ended up being one of our favorite unexpected finds.
Rub the horns, get your luck, and then go explore! 😂 -
Major stands in downtown Durham with the kind of presence that made me slow down a little, even though I was on the way to somewhere else. He has that faint echo of the famous charging figure in New York City, but the resemblance is more about attitude than imitation. This one is upright, steady, and grounded in a way that feels tied to Durham itself. The surface of the statue captures the light cleanly, and the post has a quiet confidence that fits the plaza around him. You can read the caption at his feet and it adds a layer of pride, knowing that the sculpture was cast right here at Liberty Arts, created start to finish in the same city where it now stands.
The bilingual plaque gives the piece a sense of welcome, like it belongs to everyone who passes through. Knowing it was gifted to the citizens of Durham through a grant from Central Carolina Bank makes the whole installation feel intentional, not just decorative. It is the kind of public art that doesn't need to shout to make its point. Major feels rooted, local, and fully part of the streetscape, a sculpture that reflects the city's intention of mixing creativity with community in a way that feels natural.
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