In Washington state, on a barren bluff overlooking the Columbia River and Oregon is a full-size Stonehenge, a near carbon copy of the more famous Stonehenge in England. It was built by a man named Sam Hill as a memorial to soldiers who died in World War I. Hill passed away soon after his masterpiece was completed in 1930 and is buried nearby.
Unlike the English Stonehenge which is mobbed daily with buses and wide eyed tourists, the Sam Hill replica is a lonely, quiet place. A short paved road off state route 14 leads to the monument and its huge parking lot, easily accessible by any length RV.
Sam Hill’s Mansion, part of the Maryhill Museum of Art, is just up the highway. The museum includes a collection of royal memorabilia from Queen Marie of Romania (1875-1938), a friend of Sam Hill’s who presided at the museum’s dedication ceremony in 1926. Included are the queen’s coronation gown, crown, silverware, gilt furniture, jewelry and other memorabilia. The museum is only from March 15 to November 15 with a $9 adult admission. Stonehenge is always open and admission is free.
This article updated Nov. 29, 2012
Trivia for the day.
Did you ever hear the expression “Where in the Sam Hill are we?” Well this is where it originated. Back then, folks arriving to this “desolate hillside” would say, “Where….”
The saying caught on and came to be used for any off the beaten path location.
By the way, the museum is great and worth the trip along with Stonehenge.
There is another Stonehenge in the US, it is located near Hunt, Texas. Here is the URL about it}
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/TX-StonehengeII.html
There is another Americas Stonehenge in Salem New Hampshire said to be the oldest site in North America if you ever have a chance check it out.
John
and . . . if you're looking for Stonehenge look-alikes – go north on US 11 from Natural Bridge toward Lexington (exit 181 south to US 11 from I-81). A rather intriguing, site, 'Foamhenge' stands proudly on a hill.
Guess there are a lot of hedges out there.