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Stacy
Trip Date 08/08/2022 Posted On 02/15/2023 10:11:14 |
Destinations | Stonehenge | United Kingdom | England | Salisbury | Stonehenge Replicas | Carhenge | Nebraska | Alliance | Bamahenge | Alabama | Elberta | UM-Rolla Stonehenge | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Missouri | Rolla | Stonehenge II | Texas | Ingram | Kentucky Stonehenge | Kentucky | Munfordville
No matter where in the world you live, either you or others around you have heard of the Stonehenge monument located just outside of Salisbury, England. But, did you know that people also head to Ingram, Texas or Alliance, Nebraska to see man-made circles that have a likeness to Stonehenge? Similar to many other famous monuments, sculptures and statues, there are Stonehenge replicas in destinations all around the world. Throughout our years of traveling, we've visited five of the replicas (so far), with hopes to add more to our list (and to this article) in the years to come. We've seen some while camping in our RV, some on day trips and even one during a week at the beach.
Some of the replicas have catchy names (Carhenge and Bamahenge) while the names of others are more similar to the original (Kentucky Stonehenge and Stonehenge II). There's a replica on the lawn of a former mayor's estate in Munfordville, Kentucky and one on a road leading to a marina in Elberta, Alabama. There's even one on the campus of Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri (UM-Rolla Stonehenge). There are plenty of differences between the replicas and the real deal, but one thing that is certain is that each of the replicas has a truly unique history and backstory.
Whether or not you've traveled to the United Kingdom to see the real deal, the replicas are worth a visit. While I personally wouldn't plan a road trip for the sole purpose of exploring a Stonehenge replica, if one was not too far off of my planned route, I would definitely take a detour. Possibly a stop at one of these replicas will satisfy your wanderlust - at least for the time being! Or, maybe setting your eyes on a Stonehenge replica closer to home will be all that it takes to put the wheels in motion for planning an overseas flight!
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Stonehenge, The Real Deal (Salisbury, Wiltshire, England)
Wordy Explorers Visit Date: August 24, 2016A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, the original Stonehenge is located on a parcel of land that is part of the Salisbury Plain in southern England. The nearest city to what is likely the most popular stone monument in the world is Salisbury, approximately 8 miles away in the county of Wiltshire.
There is so much that is unknown about Stonehenge (and most likely never will be known). Who built Stonehenge? What was Stonehenge used for? When was Stonehenge built? Where did the Stonehenge stones come from? Why was Stonehenge built? How did the stones get transported to their location on the Salisbury Plain? In fact, other than the location of Stonehenge, pretty much everything else about the monument is pure speculation!
Historians, archaeologists and others have been studying Stonehenge for centuries. Through the years, there have been many different theories about the origins. Discoveries from more recent excavations along with new technologies have led to new beliefs causing what was believed as few as twenty years ago to have changed.
What seems to be agreed upon by many is that Stonehenge's roots go back at least 5,000 years. It is believed that "construction" of the monument took place in multiple phases by different groups of people over the course of at least 1,500 years. With so many people involved in its creation, it just makes sense that Stonehenge would have had multiple uses throughout its history. Evidence suggests that Stonehenge might have been created as a memorial and that both ceremonies and burials were performed onsite. Some persons joining religious pilgrimages may have been trekking toward the Salisbury Plains with Stonehenge as their culmination point.
Because of its location, which is quite frankly in the middle of nowhere, getting to Stonehenge from London without access to a car is doable but does require some advance planning. If you happen to cruising out of Southampton, you can take a guided tour which also includes transportation to a London hotel or airport. We chose the "Stonehenge, Salisbury and Windsor to London from Southampton" tour. It was perfect for us - we saw a few sights between the cruise port and London without having to worry about our luggage.
The first brief stop is in Salisbury where you have time to wander around the town and take photos of the famous Salisbury Cathedral. Next you are off to Stonehenge. After time for walking around the monument and exploring the Visitor Center, the tour / transfer makes a stop in Windsor for a tour of the Windsor Castle. From there, it's time to head toward London where the driver makes multiple stops to get all passengers to their hotel or departing flight.
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University of Missouri-Rolla Stonehenge (Rolla, Missouri)
Most Recent Wordy Explorers Visit Date: April 7, 2018Coming in at 50% of the size of the original, the University of Missouri - Rolla unveiled its version of Stonehenge during the 1984 Summer Solstice. The replica stands at the intersection of 14th Street and Bishop Avenue at the northwest corner of what is now known as the Missouri University of Science and Technology. There is no cost to pay a visit to the University's replica and free parking can be found beside the nearby observatory.
Working inside the new High Pressure Water Jet Laboratory within the University's Rock Mechanics and Explosives Research Center, it was students who crafted Missouri's Stonehenge replica. Using the water-cutting technology, the approximately 160 tons of granite needed to create the monument were carved in a one-month period in 1984.
The University received a National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Award for the Stonehenge project. NSPE Awards are presented to recognize the contributions and achievements of the very best engineers.
The 1984 dedication of Rolla's Stonehenge was actually attended by a Druid from England (wearing his white robe). During the reception following the dedication ceremony, there was a centerpiece that was dubbed "Cheesehenge" on display.
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Stonehenge II (Ingram, Texas)
Most Recent Wordy Explorers Visit Date: May 29, 2020Since Stonehenge II is only about two hours away from our Austin area home, we've made the trek to Ingram twice. Our most recent visit was shortly after our local "stay home, stay safe" order was lifted in 2020 and after we had toured the original Stonehenge. Since 2012, the "monument" has been located on the grounds of the Hill Country Arts Foundation (HCAF). Although the property is private, HCAF has been welcoming the public to Stonehenge II between dawn and dusk. There is no admission charge, however it is recommended that prospective visitors call to confirm that the site will be open (830-367-5121).
Stonehenge II was built in Hunt, Texas by two neighbors, Al Shepperd and Doug Hill in 1990. What started as a single limestone slab leftover from Hill's exterior home improvement project turned into an art project. Hill gifted the slab to his neighbor who "planted" it upright on his pasture land.
From that point, new "stones" were added and nine months later Stonehenge II was 90 percent as tall and 60 percent as wide as its inspiration standing in England. The "stones", in fact, were not stones at all. Each was handcrafted by Hill out of plaster and steel using a metal lathe.
Although they thought their project was complete, Shepperd was already adding to it less than two years later. After a visit to Easter Island, he decided that two Moai or "heads" would be a good addition to his land.
For twenty years, Stonehenge II stood on the pastureland owned by Shepperd and his family, even after his 1994 death. Online articles tell contradicting versions of what happened in 2010. Did the Shepperd family donate the monument to HCAF, an organization that Shepperd had supported during his lifetime? Or, did HCAF purchase the monument after the property was sold to a new owner uninterested in keeping the longstanding art project? Either way, Stonehenge II was moved 8 miles east in 2012 to its new home where it still stands today. (In case you are wondering, yes - the Moai moved to the new location too!)
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Carhenge (Alliance, Nebraska)
Wordy Explorers Visit Date: August 8, 2020Carhenge, a must visit for anyone who is into "quirky", wins the prize for the most unique of the Stonehenge replicas that we have seen. Located on the plains of Nebraska, Carhenge is the perfect addition for any road trip through the western part of the state. After exploring South Dakota, we traveled from Badlands National Park to Carhenge on our way to Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff National Monument. Carhenge is just north of the city of Alliance, has plenty of parking and is free to visitors.
It was during a 1982 family gathering following the death of Herman Reinders that the creation of a memorial was first discussed. Reinders' son, Jim Reinders, had a longtime desire to put his artistic talents to work to design and build a replica of the creation that he studied during his years of living in England. Everyone was in agreement to return to build a Stonehenge replica in honor of his father.
Five years later, family members met on the land that was once a Nebraska farm where the elder Reinders had lived. Their mission was to create a replica in the same dimensions, proportions and alignment with the sun as the original Stonehenge, with one major difference. Rather than stones, the replica would be created out of 39 cars of various makes and models, all spray painted in gray to more closely match the color of the original. Completion of Carhenge was perfectly timed for a dedication ceremony on June 21, 1987, the Summer Solstice and longest day of the year.
Carhenge's artist, James "Jim" Webster Reinders, passed away at his Houston home in October 2021.
Here's a couple "WE Did It!" Tips:
- The Great Plains tend to have higher winds than many other areas, so prepare yourself for what may be a windy day.
- Just like at many of the other Stonehenge replicas, there's more to see than just Carhenge. Paths connect Carhenge with the Car Art Reserve, an outdoor "art museum". Of course, all sculptures in the Car Art Reserve are made of old cars and car parts. Additionally, a visitor center, The Pit Stop, opened in 2007.
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Kentucky Stonehenge (Munfordville, Kentucky)
Wordy Explorers Visit Date: May 26, 2021If you are striving to visit every national park and making plans to check off Mammoth Cave or wanting to tour the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, you can squeeze in a stop at Kentucky Stonehenge too. It was the former Mayor and Munfordville native Chester Fryer who designed and built the Stonehenge replica on the grounds of his personal homestead at 21 Lynn Avenue. The home is just a short drive from Interstate 65 and is easy to find on Google Maps.
Although there is street parking near Kentucky's Stonehenge, because of its neighborhood location, it felt weird to us to get out of our car and walk on the yard surrounding another person's residence. Had there been others exploring the grounds to see the rock formations, we may have felt differently. So, of the replicas that we have seen, this is one that we did not get up close and personal with. (All that we read online indicated that the homeowner does not charge a fee and welcomes visitors to come and see his creation - as long as they don't climb on or touch the rocks.)
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Planning the replica started with Fryer studying computer images of the original in detail. Once he had figured out what his rock needs were, he "shopped local". After finding and paying $10.00 each for the large rocks that would eventually become a part of Kentucky Stonehenge, he moved each rock to his property.
Before cementing them in place, he had to cut the ends off so that the horizontal rocks would balance atop the vertical standing rocks. Although Kentucky's Stonehenge is a "not-to-scale replica", there are many similarities including the number of rocks, diameter of the formation and their position (i.e. alignment) with respect to the sun.
There is more than just the local version of Stonehenge on the grounds of the Fryer estate. While you are there, be sure to see his other rock displays including "Earth Mysteries", "The Garden of Gethsemane" plus "Rock Gardens" and a "Rock Park".
Sadly, Chester Fryer passed away in July of 2022 at the age of 88. The happiness that Fryer felt when people came to see his rock creations was undeniable. To honor his wishes, his family has continued allowing visitors just as he did.
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Bamahenge (Elberta, Alabama)
Wordy Explorers Visit Date: August 8, 2022Alabama's answer to Stonehenge is located just outside the city of Foley and not far from the beaches of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and even Pensacola. Bamahenge is just a short hike off of Barber Parkway, the road which leads to Barber Marina. There's no charge to see this replica and there's even a small parking area immediately in front of the trail which leads to Bamahenge.
Although we didn't confirm, multiple online reports say that, just like Stonehenge, the replica standing in Alabama measures 21 feet high and 104 feet from one side to the other. Bamahenge is also reported to be oriented exactly as the original. A major difference between Stonehenge and Bamahenge is that you can actually touch the Alabama replica!
The full-sized replica appears to be crafted of stone, however the "stones" are actually fiberglass and were designed and "built" by Mark Cline. In addition to this Stonehenge replica, Cline has created a number of other sculptures out of fiberglass - some can even be seen in conjunction with a visit to Bamahenge.
Be sure to check out some of the many online articles about Bamahenge. It is fascinating to learn more about the design of the "stones", how they were transported to the grounds of the marina, what the artist did to storm-proof Bamahenge and how many of his fiberglass creations came to be.
Here's a couple "WE Did It!" Tips:
- Depending on when you visit, be prepared for mosquitos. We encountered plenty of these pesky critters during our stop in early August.
- If you like what you see during your visit to Bamahenge, don't miss out on other nearby creations by the fiberglass master, Mark Cline. Without even moving your car, you can walk to see the nearby "Dinosaurs in the Woods". Another Cline creation, "Country Girl Skinny Dipping" is a bit further away, but still on the grounds of Barber Marina.
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Bamahenge and More Surrounds Orange Beach, Alabama
Check out our article, 8 Ways to Enhance Any Stay in Orange Beach, Alabama for more about our visit to both Bamahenge and the Dinosaurs in the Woods. You'll also find six other ideas for a stay near the amazing white sandy shores of Orange Beach.Related Article: 8 Ways to Enhance Any Stay in Orange Beach, AL
Stonehenge Replicas
There are at least a hundred replicas of England's famous stone monument and they can be found on all corners of the globe. As much as we have traveled, we have only seen five of them. Each time we visit another, we'll update this article with a couple of photos and a brief introduction to the site. We are currently trying to plan stops at:- Odessa Henge in Odessa, Texas
- Garden Henge in Red Oak, Texas
- Fridgehenge in Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Dolmen of Guadalperal (Spanish Stonehenge) in Caceres, Spain
Which Stonehenge replicas have you seen during your travels?
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Related Wordy Explorers Original Posts:
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