The Enchanted Highway is a collection of the world's largest

scrap metal Scrap consists of recyclable materials, usually metals, left over from product manufacturing and consumption, such as parts of vehicles, building supplies, and surplus materials. Unlike waste, scrap has monetary value, especially recovered me ...

sculptures constructed at intervals along a stretch of two-lane highway in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of

North Dakota North Dakota () is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the indigenous Dakota Sioux. North Dakota is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north and by the U.S. states of Minnesota to the east, So ...

Description

The road has no highway number, although its northern portion is th Avenue SW (counting from Bismarck, ND, which is to the east). The Enchanted Highway extends north from

Regent A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state '' pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy ...

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. In 2002, it was recognized as the world's largest scrap metal sculpture by the '' Guinness Book of World Records''.

History

Local artist Gary Greff conceived of the project and began building it in 1989, and continues to maintain the sculptures. He took inspiration from local wildlife and historical figures, including

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...

. Greff's intention was to revive his hometown of Regent, after decades of population and economy decline. In 2012, Greff opened a motel, The Enchanted Castle, in Regent, continuing the theme of the Enchanted Highway. 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. The highway attracts approximately 6,000 tourist cars per year.

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)

Gallery

Image:Grasshoppers in the Field sculpture.jpg, Grasshoppers in the Field Image:Fisherman's Dream sculpture.jpg, Fisherman's Dream Image:"Pheasants on the Prairie," Enchanted Highway, Regent, North Dakota LCCN2010630885.tif, Pheasants on the Prairie Image:"The Tin Family," Enchanted Highway, Regent, North Dakota LCCN2010630884.tif, The Tin Family

References

External links

{{Attached KML, display=title,inline
Regent and the Enchanted Highway
area placemarks for Google Earth.

a Photo Gallery by J. Q. Jacobs.

Regent, North Dakota.
North Dakota Tourism website

National Geographic Top 10 U.S. Roadside Attractions

The Enchanted Highway at Dakota Search
Outdoor sculptures in North Dakota Buildings and structures in Hettinger County, North Dakota Tourist attractions in Hettinger County, North Dakota Roadside attractions in North Dakota Sculpture series