Spotted on the Roadside: Stonehenge Maryhill, where the dew drops cry and the cats meow

August 21, 2015 4 Comments read Attractions, Pacific, Spotted on the Roadside, Travel, USA, Washington, West

Who the fuck builds a stonehenge? Two Stone Age-guys wondering what to do who just said: “Dude, let’s build a henge or two!”

We do know who the fuck built this Stonehenge, and it wasn’t exactly a stone age guy. Sam Hill (1857-1931) was a pacific northwest businessman with a lot of klout in the area. He’s known for two large monument in Washington: the Peace Arch at the Washington/Canadian border, which was dedicated in 1921, and the town of Maryhill, named after his wife and upon which he dedicated this replica of Stonehenge in 1918. He was inspired by the supposed druidic sacrifices on the central altar of the prehistoric Stonehenge and built this replica as a memorial to the local soldiers who died in World War I, to remind the populace that human life is continually sacrificed to the god of war. Rather than replicate Stonehenge precisely, dragging large stones from the surrounding hillsides, he built his stonehenge from concrete blocks, its altar aligned with the sunrise of the summer solstice.

There are a number of huge burned out patches near the site, and a sign warns visitors to make use of their car ashtray rather than discarding them on the ground. The area knows a thing or two about fire–the original Maryhill buildings all burned down shortly after construction, much like the ill-fated nearby town of Shaniko.

Spotted on Stonehenge Dr in Maryhill, WA

Spotted on the Roadside: And that’s no bull in Ellensburg, WA

August 14, 2015 Comments Off read Pacific, Spotted on the Roadside, Travel, USA, Washington, West

In Ellensburg, there’s a statue celebrating the town’s cattle ranching and frontier history originally titled “Cowboy”…and what a boy he is, with his, uh, tail dangling between his legs just so, inviting you to sit next to him on the bench. Still in the building stages, people were offended by the name, people were offended by the potential schlong, there was presumably some shrieking of “Won’t somebody please think of the children?”, and ultimately the name was changed to “The Bull” before being cast and erected in 1986. Heh…erected.

Spotted on N Pearl St in Ellensburg, WA

Dick & Jane’s Spot in Ellensburg, WA

August 12, 2015 3 Comments read Attractions, Pacific, Travel, USA, Washington, West

A sign outside Dick & Jane’s Spot reads “What is this place?” What is this place, indeed? It’s a 37 year project in the making, a constantly evolving collaboration between outsider artists Richard C Elliot (1945-2008) and Jane Orleman that also serves as their home. As old pieces decay, they are replaced and restored, and thus Dick & Jane’s spot is in a constant state of flux–each year, there’s a new postcard for sale via a vending machine in the front yard that reflects the changes to the installation. Work from almost fifty other artists graces the yard as well. The Spring 2015 update outside the house describes Dick & Jane’s Spot as “What is this place: Art for the heart, from the heart, in the heart of Washington. Remember, one hearty laugh is worth ten trips to the doctor.”

The art and joyful spirit of Dick & Jane’s Spot did warm my heart and make me laugh multiple times. Their use of reflectors also reminded me powerfully of another outsider art house I visited in 2010: the now-demolished RichArt’s ArtYard. And the “you are beautiful” on the gate reminded me of Chicago’s “You Are Beautiful” project. Dick & Jane’s Spot, YOU are beautiful. And no one is going to miss you at night.