Tag Archives for stonehenge II

Tourist Trap, Proposed Stonehenge Model for Visitors’ Center, 1998

stonehenge-mir-2

photos from Stonehenge II proposal by Aleksandra Mir , more at link.

Posting two rather serious British-made Stonehenge models in a row may be a mistake but a permission we’d hoped for hasn’t come through. The two are very different.  Here “the proposal was to build a Stonehenge replica close to the original, to reduce the volume of pedestrian traffic and save this piece of cultural heritage from further destruction. To compensate for the necessary limited access to Stonehenge I, Stonehenge II would allow full access and promote a wide range of activities on its grounds.”

As you see, tourists would be encouraged to touch and enjoy the model if they wished. However, it seems to us that what tourists wish is to touch the ageless stones of the original, not false new stones, of whatever material.

stonehenge-mir-1This Stonehenge II has not been built, nor is it planned at this point. But as a model we must say that of all the miniatures this is most detailed and closest to the original. We even see Aubrey holes and certainly the ditch and bank, plus every stone correct in size and place. (We also enjoy the giant bird perched on one lintel.)

Scoring–well, keep in mind that we are looking at a model of a nonexistent replica, not a model of Stonehenge itself.  Still, we are forced to give this a good 8½ druids. Full sized, it woud have gotten the elusive 9½. But let’s face it–Peephenge and Cheese curl henge are a lot more fun!

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Texas II, Stonehenge Fever

stonehenge-iiaphoto by knobonk, shown by permission

We mentioned when we posted the Odessa Stonehenge that Texas was one of the states that boasts (at least) two large Stonehenge replicas. This is the other, a neat little circle tucked into the Texas Hill Country. We don’t doubt that, as the Stonehenge II website says, it makes quite an impression when unsuspecting family and friends arrive there on what they thought was just a drive in the country!

The effect is enhanced by the presence of Easter Island heads, one on either side of the henge, made by the same steel mesh and plaster method as all but one of the “stones” in the complex. Apparently a totem pole was planned, too, but couldn’t be executed before the death of the man behind the monument, Al Shepperd. You can see more of the site’s history here and here.

Another case of “Stonehenge Fever” as the Roadside America site calls it, that inexplicable something that makes Clonehenge possible. We have warmed to this circle since we first saw it. The flat pasture is a plus and the charming thought of children playing hide-and-seek among the stones is irresistible. How many replicas can allow that? Score: 8 druids for this family-friendly Stonehenge!

You can see it on Google Street View here.