Enchanted Highway

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.

Geese in Flight sculpture

Description

The road has no highway number, although its northern portion is 100+1⁄2th Avenue SW (counting from Bismarck, ND, 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

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
  • 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)
  • Grasshoppers in the Field
    Grasshoppers in the Field
  • Fisherman's Dream
    Fisherman's Dream
  • Pheasants on the Prairie
    Pheasants on the Prairie
  • The Tin Family
    The Tin Family

References
  1. "Largest Scrap-Metal Sculpture". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  2. Riddle, Holly (July 26, 2019). "Man's 'Enchanted Highway' saved a small American town from dying". Accuweather. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  3. "Enchanted Highway Sculptures - Regent, North Dakota".
  4. Dura, Jack (May 7, 2019). "ND lawmakers give $75,000 for Enchanted Highway maintenance". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  5. "American Wonders: North Dakota's "Enchanted Highway"". CBS News. July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  6. Donovan, Lauren (June 3, 2012). "Enchanted Highway Sculptor Adds Whimsical Inn to Regent". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
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