Summary
The Enchanted Highway is a collection of the world's largest scrap metal sculptures[1] constructed by Gary Greff at intervals along a 32-mile (51 km) stretch of a two-lane highway in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of North Dakota.
Description edit
The road has no highway number, although its northern portion is 100+1⁄2th Avenue SW (counting from Bismarck, which is 85 miles [137 km] to the east). The Enchanted Highway extends north from Regent to the Gladstone exit on Interstate 94 east of Dickinson. Each sculpture has a developed pull-out and several have picnic shelters; the highway passes through scenic farm country with intermittent buttes. Geese in Flight is visible from I-94, standing 110 feet tall and 150 feet wide.[2] In 2002, it was recognized as the world's largest scrap metal sculpture by the Guinness Book of World Records.[3]
History edit
Local artist Gary Greff conceived of the project and began building it in 1989, and continues to maintain the sculptures.[4] He took inspiration from local wildlife and historical figures, including Theodore Roosevelt.[5] Greff's intention was to revive his hometown of Regent, after decades of population and economy decline.[4][2] In 2012, Greff opened a motel, The Enchanted Castle, in Regent, continuing the theme of the Enchanted Highway.[6] The State of North Dakota provided $75,000 in its 2019-2020 budget to assist Greff in maintaining the sculptures; prior to that year, he had used his own money and donations to pay for upkeep.[4][5] The highway attracts approximately 6,000 tourist cars per year.[2]
Sculptures edit
- The Tin Family (1991)
- Teddy Rides Again (1993)
- Pheasants on the Prairie (1996)
- Grasshoppers in the Field (1999)
- Geese in Flight (2001)
- Deer Crossing (2002)
- Fisherman's Dream (2006)
- Spider Webs (In progress)
Gallery edit
-
Grasshoppers in the Field -
Fisherman's Dream -
Pheasants on the Prairie -
The Tin Family
References edit
- ^ "Largest Scrap-Metal Sculpture". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
- ^ a b c Riddle, Holly (July 26, 2019). "Man's 'Enchanted Highway' saved a small American town from dying". Accuweather. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ "Enchanted Highway Sculptures - Regent, North Dakota".
- ^ a b c Dura, Jack (May 7, 2019). "ND lawmakers give $75,000 for Enchanted Highway maintenance". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "American Wonders: North Dakota's "Enchanted Highway"". CBS News. July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ Donovan, Lauren (June 3, 2012). "Enchanted Highway Sculptor Adds Whimsical Inn to Regent". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
External links edit
- Regent and the Enchanted Highway area placemarks for Google Earth.
- Zoomable pictures of each site
- Regent, North Dakota, and the Enchanted Highway, a Photo Gallery by J. Q. Jacobs.
- Hettinger County Historical Society Museums, Regent, North Dakota.
- North Dakota Tourism website
- National Geographic Top 10 U.S. Roadside Attractions
- The Enchanted Highway at Dakota Search