Not every roadside attraction is quirky or strange. Sometimes we can learn from them or gain some perspective in life. Sculptures are always an interesting subject and I saw plenty of them in 2024, from larger than life historical monuments to themed art in small towns.
Also want to give a big shoutout to Roadside America for guidance on some of these locations.
OKLAHOMA CENTENNIAL LAND RUN MONUMENT – OKLAHOMA CITY
This monument has special significance to me as I had two great-grandfathers and a great-great-grandfather that participated in one of the four historic land runs in Oklahoma in the late 1800s. On September 16, 1893 my great-grandfather Pascal Hanks, his father Joseph W. Hanks (a first cousin to Abraham Lincoln), and another great-grandfather James Warner set out at noon from Hennessey to claim land in what is now known as Ringwood, Oklahoma. Over 100,000 land hungry souls participated. Photographer L.D. Hodge of Arkansas City, Kansas captured photographs of the event, which may have included my relatives somewhere in those shots. Below is some of the history as well as a number of shots of the amazing sculptures that depict these land runs.
The award winning bronze statues below were done by Oklahoma City artist Paul Moore in 2019. This monument features 45 larger-than-life statues that represented the pioneers that participated in the first land run in 1889. My relatives participated in the fourth and final land run. These statues are life-and-a-half-sized bronzes and the looks on the faces, the energy and the excitement can be seen and felt.
This work of art is considered to be one of the world’s largest bronze sculpture installations. It took Moore and others nearly 20 years to complete.
PEACE CIRCLE – GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
This is one of two large installations in Grapevine, Texas. The Eleven larger-than-life statues standing in Peace Circle commemorate a historic moment from August 1843 when Sam Houston, who at the time was President of the Republic of Texas, gathered the leaders of ten Native American nations and addressed them to sign a treaty of peace and friendship.
The circle of statues was created by artist Linda Lewis at the Grapevine foundry and the installation was dedicated in September 2021. Each of the eleven statues stand one and one fourth life size in height.
Besides Sam Houston, the 10 tribal chiefs were from the Delaware, Chickasaw, Waco, Tawakoni, Keechi, Caddo, Anadarko, Ioni, Biloxi and Cherokee Nations. The Peace Circle meeting later led to the signing of the Treaty at Bird’s Fort on September 29, 1843. This treaty defined Indian Nations and European settlement boundaries and was one of the few Indian treaties ratified by the Republic of Texas Senate.
I really tried to capture the essence of Lewis’ excellent artwork. A detailed description of each of the pieces can be seen at https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/grapevine-main-station/peace-circle/
9/11 FLIGHT CREW MEMORIAL – GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
A second large sculpture installations can be found in Grapevine. This symbolic memorial is dedicated to the 33 flight crew members that lost their lives in the 9/11 airline hijackings and attacks. the installation was dedicated on July 4, 2008. The entire installation sits on a Compass Rose and there are granite monuments around it etched with the names of those that lost their lives when the four different airliners were destroyed.
On the ground around the sculpture are other sculptures representing heroes who also lost their lives as a result of that disastrous day. There is a kneeling fireman, a kneeling police officer.
The installation was created by artist/sculptor Dean Thompson, who took over three years to complete this work, along with a number of other volunteers.
MORE SCULPTURES IN GRAPEVINE
While in Grapevine, it is worth the time to visit a few other sculptures. Here are some that I captured
Sunday Skaters – Created by Archie St. Clair
The Grapevine Nightwatchman – Created by Jack Bryant
Pastoral Dreamer – Created by David L. Phelps
https://phelpssculpture.com/pastoraldreamerx3
Imagine – Grapevine Unicorn – By Linda Lewis
https://fortworthbusiness.com/business/grapevine-unveils-bronze-unicorn-statue-arts-effort/
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article47834295.html
TOWN THEME STATUES
Over the years I have documented town theme statues that seem to provide some insight about the towns and cities. For instance, in the past have posted about horses and whiskey barrels in Lexington, KY; Frogs in Raine, Louisiana; Tree Statues in Nebraska City, Nebraska; Bison statues in Great Falls, Montana; Hippos in Hutto, TX and a few others. In 2024 I discovered a couple more:
Pigs of Cadiz, Kentucky – Just a few so you get the idea
Planters of Miamitown, Ohio
Hearts of Waxahachie, Texas – Deep in the Heart of Texas
Birds of Broken Bow, Oklahoma – Just a splashing of birds
Did you enjoy what you saw here? My books cover so much more.
Enjoy the Ride With Sumoflam
LESS BEATEN PATHS OF AMERICA TRAVEL SERIES
You can get my books online! The series now has five books and I am working on books six and seven. Book Six will be all about murals from all over the country!! Watch for them in 2025.