Three giant troll brothers. Warren, Helmut and Marvin, have appeared in Clinton, Iowa, hidden along the banks of the Mississippi.

Clinton was once one of the great lumber towns of America. Between 1870 and 1940 its sawmills roared day and night, and the forest where the three brothers slept was cut to the ground and floated down the river. The trolls woke to find their home gone — so they came back to take the trees back.

The Tree Thieves were built by Thomas Dambo from local, reclaimed wood together with the community, in collaboration with The Sawmill Museum and Bickelhaupt Arboretum.

At Citizens First Bank (CFB), our commitment to community is grounded in a deep appreciation for where we come from—and a shared belief in where we’re headed. Clinton’s story is one of craftsmanship, resilience, and connection to the Mississippi River, and we’re proud to play a role in shaping its next chapter.

When Clinton had the opportunity to become a host community for the internationally recognized Thomas Dambo trolls, CFB stepped forward alongside local partners, volunteers, and leaders to bring the vision to life. Through financial support and hundreds of volunteer hours from our team, we helped transform this global art experience into something uniquely Clinton.