Ancient Monument Gets the Yankee Touch
It's hard to explain why America is filling up with replica Stonehenges. Thousands of miles from England, on solitary vistas in places such as Alliance, Nebraska, and Fortine, Montana, citizens have taken it upon themselves to build their own Stonehenges, sometimes true to the original, sometimes merely inspired by it. It's an obsession as mysterious and primal as the original circle of rock slabs.
Sam Hill's Stonehenge, Maryhill, Washington.
To give you an idea of Stonehenge’s power to bewitch, a professional stoneworker who worked on a nearly full-sized replica that went up in 2004 at the University of Texas, Permian Basin in Odessa said that he would be happy if he just built Stonehenges for the rest of his life. It's as if everyone has an inner Druid that yearns to be free.
We have our own theories – and our own obsession. We've catalogued hundreds of Old World landmarks rebuilt to American standards. But Stonehenge is special. We figure that the ancient megaliths must emit an invisible energy field powerful enough to enslave sculptors, builders, and the odd guy with too much time on his hands.
Important American Stonehenges
Sam Hill's Stonehenge, Maryhill, Washington - Built by a wealthy railroad executive, on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River. Made of concrete and complete -- no tipsy, worn-down rocks like the original.
Stubby Stonehenge, Rolla, Missouri - A half-size Stonehenge at the former University of Missouri at Rolla was built to showcase the stone carving capabilities of its High Pressure Water Jet Lab.
Stubby Stonehenge, Rolla, Missouri
The Georgia Guidestones, Nuberg, Georgia - Four granite monoliths, nineteen feet tall with inscriptions carved in eight different languages (including Swahili and Sanskrit).. Bankrolled by the mysterious "R. C. Christian."
Carhenge, Alliance, Nebraska - A family reunion in 1987 produced what has become America's best-known quirky Stonehenge -- "Carhenge," built in a dusty field outside of Alliance, Nebraska, under the supervision of farmer Jim Reinders, who meant it as a memorial to his dad.
Stonehenge II, formerly in Kerrville, Texas - Two years after Carhenge went up, the Stonehenge bug bit eccentric, retired oilman Al Shepperd. Al died in 1994; his Stonehenge was moved in 2010 to a new location in Ingram.
Foamhenge, Natural Bridge, Virginia - The award for fastest Stonehenge ever erected has to go to Mark Cline of Natural Bridge, Virginia, who set up most of his replica, "Foamhenge," in a single day. It's a lot easier to carve styrofoam than rock.
Stonefridge, Santa Fe, New Mexico - A great henge concept -- old refrigerators stacked in the familiar configuration -- executed by artist Adam Horowitz on an abandoned landfill. Unfortunately it was toppled and destroyed by 2007.
America's Stonehenge, North Salem, New Hampshire -Looks the least like a Stonehenge; the attraction's name mainly refers to the mystical and unknown origins of rock configurations and chambers on a wooded hill.
Georgia Guidestones, Nuberg, Georgia
Permian Basin Stonehenge: Built in 2004 at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin as a campus entrance landmark.
Stonehenges Still Springing Up
And the list goes on. There are still more Stonehenges scattered across the American landscape.
One, which once marked the entrance to hard-times subdivision named "Stone Henge" in Athens, Georgia, was moved in the late 1990s to a safer spot on the outskirts of the city.
A newly erected solar calendar of limestone monoliths has been dubbed "Stonehenge Jr." by the locals of Wichita, Kansas.
Which leads to the latest trend in Stonehenge construction -- private Stonehenges.
One recently went up on a private estate in the elite town of Sachem Head, Connecticut and another -- reportedly the most accurate Stonehenge replica ever made -- has been built for a wealthy individual at the remote Crystal Lakes Resort in Fortine, Montana.
A couple in Nunica, Michigan has a slightly downscaled Stonehenge in their front yard. The circle is half-scale, and the stones are made from foam. It can be seen from the road, although no trespassing is allowed.
A Stonehenge replica is reported in Munfordville, Kentucky, created by Chester Fryer using local rocks. It doesn't conform to the original's layout, and is arranged as part of a large rock garden. In addition to Stonehenge, Fryer built a Garden of Gethsemane and other rock sculptures.
And now -- in what is likely the least enduring approach -– there may be a disposable Stonehenge. Foamhenge creator Mark Cline says that an unnamed organization has approached him to build a life-size Foamhenge in New York City for a private party. It would stand for a week, and then apparently head for the landfill. "I'm trying to work a deal with them so that I can keep the stones," Mark says. "It's the good foam."
Trendy, disposable Stonehenges may come and go, forgotten like so many inflatable monuments to the uncommitted. Yet we still hear of lone artisans doing it the right way, their hammers tapping and blowtorches roaring sweet music to the old gods.
Wallace Wallington, a retired carpenter in Lapeer Michigan, has been gamely wrestling with 20,000-lb. concrete blocks in his back yard dream of a Stonehenge. He's only a couple of slabs into the thing, but we admire his spirit, and marvel at the videos on his web site that show him spinning the monoliths 360 degrees by himself.
When you think about it, a Stonehenge is within reach of anyone with a flat plot of land, a supply of large, blocky things, and an amenable local zoning board. So what's stopping you? You know you want one -- a hulking symbol of mystic power protecting the backyard swing set. Just let us know when you're finished and we’ll add you to the list.
