Menlo, Iowa: Freedom Rock
The first boulder, continually repainted by Ray "Bubba" Sorenson II, is covered with patriotic images: Washington crossing the Delaware, MIA logo, plane launching from an aircraft carrier, 9/11 rubble. Since 2013 Bubba has been painting Freedom Rocks in each of Iowa's 99 counties.
- Address:
- 120th St., Menlo, IA
- Directions:
- I-80 exit 86. Drive south on Hwy 25 for 1.5 miles. On the left, at the corner of 120th St.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
Results 1 to 5 of 10... Page of 2 [Next 5 items]
Visitor Tips and News About Freedom Rock
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Beautiful tribute -- well maintained area, with a cute little guest book with informational pictures. Coming from the highway, it's on the left side at 120th street. Plenty of gravel parking along a long dirt/gravel road, but some RVs and buses might have trouble turning around. Visitors have left mementos on one of the light poles, and some appear to have been left for a long time, with some obvious personal sentiments.
[Cristy, 11/04/2022]
Very touching. A local couple was there when we were. and told us more of the story, including information about the artist painting cremains onto the rock when requested. It gave me chills.
[Mary, 07/24/2021]
The 2019 design is dominated by a tribute to the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. The artist is now painting a rock in each Iowa county. The one for Madison County is next to the John Wayne Museum in Winterset IA, and includes pictures of Wayne in various military roles.
[Michael & Carol-Ann, 07/02/2019]
Looks like the rock was repainted since the last pictures on RSA. Very nice job. Thank you to all that have served and are serving!
[Penny, 03/24/2018]If you visit over Memorial Day weekend or the few weeks prior you can see the artist in action.
[Missy, 05/23/2015]Page of 2 [Next 5 items]
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This is artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II's original Freedom Rock, catalyst the has expanded to other unique Freedom Rocks in Iowa's 99 counties.