Washington is full of world class museums, unparalleled nature trails, rugged coastline, and basically everything that is good in this world. However, sometimes nothing tops getting in the car and hunting for an offbeat roadside attraction.
The drive to Goldendale is quite a trek for the majority of Washingtonians. But should you make it, check out Sam Hill’s Stonehenge. We guarantee you won’t find anything else like this in the Pacific Northwest.
America’s first replica of Stonehenge was built by Sam Hill, a visionary who bought 7,000 acres of empty land along the Columbia River in 1908.
Maryhill Museum of Art / Facebook Sam founded a little town called Maryhill and attempted to lure Quaker farmers there to settle it. Not only did that not happen, the town burned down in a fire a few years after it was settled.
After surveying what was left of Maryhill in 1918, Sam decided to build a full-sized, astronomically-aligned replica of Stonehenge.
sally / TripAdvisor He used slabs of reinforced concrete, engineering it like a modern road.
The goal of the Stonehenge replica was not to attract visitors.
Maryhill Museum of Art / Facebook Sam believed that the original Stonehenge was used for human sacrifice. His replica was meant to serve as a metaphorical memorial to the dead soldiers of World War I, a reminder that “humanity is still being sacrificed to the god of war.”
These days, the Maryhill Stonehenge Memorial is a part of the Maryhill Museum of Art.
compassNSEW / TripAdvisor The attraction is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk, and admission is free.
Sam Hill certainly succeeded in making this a World War I memorial.
David C / TripAdvisor In fact, each year, there is a small memorial ceremony on the anniversary of the death of each of the 14 men honored at Stonehenge Memorial. Recent ceremonies have been postponed due to current conditions, but they’re set to resume this summer.
As for Sam Hill, he lived in what was left of Maryhill and worked on his Stonehenge for twelve years before it was complete.
Mark / TripAdvisor Sam was known for his random erratic bursts of energy, and he didn’t get along with his family. When he died, he was buried next to Stonehenge at his request. His gravesite is extremely difficult to reach, and that’s no accident – he wanted to be left alone.
We’re eternally grateful to Sam Hill for creating such a masterpiece.
Tardis-Geek / TripAdvisor This destination is well worth the drive.
Have you ever visited Washington’s Stonehenge?
Maryhill Museum of Art / Facebook
Sam founded a little town called Maryhill and attempted to lure Quaker farmers there to settle it. Not only did that not happen, the town burned down in a fire a few years after it was settled.
sally / TripAdvisor
He used slabs of reinforced concrete, engineering it like a modern road.
Sam believed that the original Stonehenge was used for human sacrifice. His replica was meant to serve as a metaphorical memorial to the dead soldiers of World War I, a reminder that “humanity is still being sacrificed to the god of war.”
compassNSEW / TripAdvisor
The attraction is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk, and admission is free.
David C / TripAdvisor
In fact, each year, there is a small memorial ceremony on the anniversary of the death of each of the 14 men honored at Stonehenge Memorial. Recent ceremonies have been postponed due to current conditions, but they’re set to resume this summer.
Mark / TripAdvisor
Sam was known for his random erratic bursts of energy, and he didn’t get along with his family. When he died, he was buried next to Stonehenge at his request. His gravesite is extremely difficult to reach, and that’s no accident – he wanted to be left alone.
Tardis-Geek / TripAdvisor
This destination is well worth the drive.
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Address: Stonehenge Memorial, Stonehenge Dr, Goldendale, WA 98620, USA
