A Paget neighbourhood has lost its identity and is offering a $500 reward to get it back.

The 4ft totem pole wasn't misplaced, but stolen and even the Police are involved now.

You've probably seen the Native American inspired sculpture before.

It's a cedar trunk, decoratively carved and standing upright along Berry Hill Road near the junction of Relative Row.

A man named Bob Jones put it there in the late 1950s as a tribute to his western Canadian family lineage.

The plan was to have it stay there and be enjoyed by future generations.

That dream was a reality, but only until last weekend, when somebody swooped in and stole the totem pole — snatched it right out of the ground.

"It's quite heavy. It'd take two people to lift it out," explained David Exell, the patriarch of Relative Row.

He remembers his 'Uncle Bob' erecting the totem pole 50 years ago and says Saturday was the first day in the lives of his grown children that the family heirloom wasn't there.

Mr. Exell said: "My grandfather, my Uncle Bob and my parents all lived on this road and now the houses are owned by my son, my sister and myself. So it's still Relative Row."

But now it's Relative Row without the pole which put it on the map.

A nearby resident who identified herself as Nicola said: "It's a real Bermuda landmark.

"You tell anybody you live near the totem pole on Berry Hill Road and they'll say, 'I know the one'."

Mr. Exell said: "People just know it because it's unique to Bermuda."

Police were notified on Saturday of the stolen property and are thought to be investigating.

No leads yet, that's why the family is dangling the $500 reward.

Mr. Exell has no idea who would take the totem pole, he's even more perplexed trying to figure out why.

"I haven't the faintest idea," he said.

It is 18 inches in diameter and lightly painted yellow.

It's basically a cedar log, which makes it slightly valuable, but not nearly as precious as it is to the descendants of Bob Jones.

Anyone with information should call the Police or Mr. Jones on 295 4051.

A pole apart