Toledo, Washington -
Gospodor Monuments

Dominic Gospodor, the eccentric bachelor who spent over $1 million building the Gospodor Monuments, has died at age 86. He never told anyone why he built them, or exactly what he meant to say with their peculiar combination of Mother Teresa, Native Americans, Jesus, Holocaust victims, an eagle, and an enormous weather vane.

Mr. Gospodor reportedly wrote in his will that upon his death a nonprofit organization had to be found to take over ownership of the monuments. But he also reportedly left no money to maintain them, or even to pay for the electricity that lights them at night. The monuments are made of rustproofed steel, however, and should be around for a while.

Three existing "high-rise" monuments commemorate the Holocaust, the American Indian struggle and Christian faith with statues or symbols atop 100-foot-plus steel-pipe towers. But you wouldn't know it driving by on the freeway. The statues were erected by millionaire Dominic Gospodor, who [probably said something like] "I figure I'll do what I want to do" with his money.

Taking the closest service road can give you a rear view, but no further information is posted. The pedestals are now rusty cylinders. [Michael Sussman, 08/09/2007]

Park with large statues on I-5. One statue is Mother Theresa and another is an American Indian. The largest is one of Jesus. [Tim Foutz, 10/01/2005]

[RA: Seattle resident Dominic Gospoder, 81, is the artist who erected 100-ft. tall steel towers, each supporting a 20 ft. wooden statue. The first three monuments placed in 2001 were to remember the Holocaust, Christianity, and the struggle of American Indians. Mother Teresa was added later, and Gospoder was considering additional monuments to polio vaccine inventor Jonas Salk, African Americans, Susan B. Anthony, William Seward, and 17,000 people killed annually by drunk drivers.]

In Lewis County , very visible, especially at night. Three statues on 100 foot tall pillars, commemorating the Holocaust, the American Indian struggle and the Christian faith. Built by a millionare named Gospodor. [Otto Rogers, 06/24/2003]