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Carhenge

Carhenge is a replica of England's Stonehenge located near the city of Alliance, Nebraska, in the High Plains region of the United States. Instead of being built with large standing stones, as is the case with the original Stonehenge,[1] Carhenge is formed from vintage American automobiles, all covered with gray spray paint. Built by Jim Reinders, it was dedicated at the June 1987 summer solstice. In 2006, a visitor center was constructed to serve the site. Carhenge was featured in Pixar's Cars franchise spinoff webseries Cars on the Road.

Structure

[edit]
Carhenge and Stonehenge

Carhenge consists of 39 automobiles arranged in a circle measuring about 96 feet (29 m) in diameter. Some are held upright in pits 5 feet (1.5 m) deep, trunk end down, and arches have been formed by welding automobiles atop the supporting models. The heelstone is a 1962 Cadillac.[2] Three cars were buried at Carhenge with a sign stating: "Here lie three bones of foreign cars. They served our purpose while Detroit slept. Now Detroit is awake and America's great!"[3]

Carhenge replicates Stonehenge's current dilapidated state, rather than the original stone circle erected between 2500 BC and 2000 BC.

In addition to the Stonehenge replica, the Carhenge site includes several other artworks created from autos covered with various colors of spray paint.

Cars

[edit]

This table lists cars in Carhenge starting from the west entrance and proceeding left, or clockwise, around the outer ring of cars which represent the sarsen megalith circle of Stonehenge. The inner horseshoe of trilithons are also listed clockwise.[4]

Car Stonehenge equivalent stone
1965 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Sarsen circle, standing
1974 Chevrolet Vega Sarsen circle, lintel
1967 Pontiac Catalina Sarsen circle, standing
Unknown Ford or Mercury Sarsen circle, standing
1967 Pontiac Bonneville Sarsen circle, standing
1972 Chevy Impala Sarsen circle, standing
1975 AMC Gremlin Sarsen circle, lintel
1986 Ford Sarsen circle, standing
1965 Chevy Impala Sarsen circle, standing
1951 Willys Jeep Pickup Sarsen circle, lintel
1969 Buick Skylark Sarsen circle, standing
1962 Plymouth Valiant Sarsen circle, lintel
1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Sarsen circle, standing
1959 Pontiac Star Chief Sarsen circle, standing
1964 Mercury Marauder Sarsen circle, standing
1965 Chevy Chevelle Sarsen circle, lintel
1964 Oldsmobile Super 88 Sarsen circle, standing
1965 Ford or Mercury Sarsen circle, standing
1965 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Sarsen circle, lintel
1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Sarsen circle, standing
1964 Cadillac Sarsen circle, standing
1965 Ford Galaxie Sarsen circle, standing
1960 Ford Galaxie Sarsen circle, fallen
1968 Chevy Impala Station Wagon Trilithon, standing
1957 Plymouth Trilithon, lintel
1968 Ford Station Wagon Trilithon, standing
1975 Ford Country Squire Trilithon, standing
1950 DeSoto Trilithon, lintel
1965 Buick Estate Station Wagon Trilithon, standing
1967 Cadillac DeVille Ambulance Trilithon, standing
1961 Cadillac Deville Altar Stone
1967 Ford Woody Trilithon, standing
1954-56? Cadillac Trilithon, lintel
1969 Ford or Mercury Station Wagon Trilithon, standing

History

[edit]
The Fourd Seasons in the Car Art Reserve

Carhenge was conceived in 1982 by Jim Reinders as a memorial to his father, who once lived on the farm now containing Carhenge.[2] While living in England, he studied the structure of Stonehenge, which helped him to copy the structure's shape, proportions, and size. It was built in 1987 by Reinders and around a crew of around 35 family members, and dedicated at the Summer Solstice.[2] Other automobile sculptures were subsequently added to the location of Carhenge, which is now known as the Car Art Reserve.[2] In 1992, Reinders removed a Toyota car from Carhenge, saying "We wanted it to be an American Carhenge, not a Japanese Carhenge".[5]

Reinders donated the 10-acre site to the Friends of Carhenge. In 2011, the Friends of Carhenge listed the attraction for sale for $300,000.[6] In 2013, the Friends of Carhenge donated the site to the Citizens of Alliance.[7]

Carhenge has appeared in film, popular music, television programs and commercials. For example: Film - Omaha, The Movie (1995); Popular music - Steely Dan (album cover, Remastered, The Best of Steely Dan, 1993); P.O.D. (music video, "Youth of the Nation", 2002); Television - Biker Build-Off; Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (episode: "The Great Train Slobbery"); Commercials - Nissan Pathfinder (2006), Nebraska Cornhuskers football (2007). It is the subject of the 2005 documentary Carhenge: Genius or Junk?[8] and features in the 2007 travel book 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die.

The path of totality of the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 included Carhenge. An estimated 4,000 people, including Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts, viewed the eclipse from the site. Reinders stated that, at the time of Carhenge's creation, he had not known about the eclipse that would occur 30 years later.[9][10][11]

Panoramic view of Carhenge

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Carhenge

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Carhenge is a and sculpture located near , consisting of 38 vintage American automobiles arranged in a circular formation to replicate the prehistoric monument in , with all vehicles painted gray to mimic the ancient stones. The installation spans the same dimensions as Stonehenge, approximately 96 feet in diameter, and includes cars buried upright or welded together to form arches and lintels. Constructed in the summer of 1987 by the late Jim Reinders, a engineer whose family owned a in the area, Carhenge was built as a memorial to his father on the family's 10-acre in Box Butte County, where Reinders had spent part of his childhood. Reinders, inspired by a visit to the original during his time working in in the , conceived the idea during a family gathering following his father's death in 1982 and enlisted relatives to complete the project over six days using models from the 1950s to , such as Fords, Chevrolets, and an . Unveiled on in 1987, it has since become a popular free-admission site open dawn to dusk year-round, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually and serving as a quirky symbol of American automotive culture blended with ancient mysticism. In addition to the core structure, Carhenge is now part of the larger Car Art Reserve, which includes other automobile-based sculptures like "The Fourd Seasons" and additional installations added over the years to expand the artistic preserve. Owned by the City of and preserved by the nonprofit Friends of Carhenge, the site features a seasonal gift shop called the and has gained cultural recognition through media appearances, including Nissan commercials and a Steely Dan album cover, while boosting the local economy in . It also hosted a major event during the 2017 , drawing thousands to the High Plains region.

Overview

Location

Carhenge is situated at coordinates 42°08′32″N 102°51′29″W in the High Plains region of western , , approximately three miles north of the city of . The installation occupies a ten-acre site on private farmland originally owned by the Reinders family, where it was constructed as a to the family patriarch. Positioned along Nebraska Highway 87 (NE-87), accessible as a short from the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway via , known for its rolling hills and historic significance, Carhenge functions as a notable attraction for motorists traveling through the remote northwestern part of the state. The site's accessibility from this major route draws visitors seeking offbeat roadside experiences amid 's expansive terrain. The surrounding environment features vast open characteristic of the High Plains, with little to no urban development, creating an isolated ambiance that echoes the solitude of its ancient English inspiration. This rural setting underscores Carhenge's role as a whimsical in an otherwise agricultural landscape.

Description

Carhenge is a full-scale artistic of England's , constructed using vintage automobiles in place of ancient stones to evoke the prehistoric monument's dilapidated state while infusing a humorous homage to Americana and roadside culture. Created by Jim Reinders on his family's farm near , the installation precisely mirrors Stonehenge's layout and proportions, substituting 39 American cars—originally painted gray and primarily from the and , with colorful murals added to some in 2025—for the iconic stones and bluestones. In June 2025, the site hosted its first Mural Festival, where artists added vibrant murals to several automobiles, blending with the original design. This conceptual blend of prehistoric and modern automotive serves as a to Reinders' father, Herman, who once owned the land, transforming a personal tribute into a whimsical yet meticulously scaled public artwork. The circle measures 96 feet (29 meters) in diameter, faithfully replicating Stonehenge's footprint and orientation toward the sunrise. Among its unique features, several cars are buried upright in shallow pits to simulate the monument's foundational elements, while others are welded into towering arches that represent the lintels and trilithons. A symbolic heelstone is depicted by a 1962 positioned outside the main circle, aligning with Stonehenge's astronomical sightline. Through this substitution of cars for stones, Carhenge playfully critiques consumer culture and impermanence, drawing parallels between ancient megaliths and the rusting relics of 20th-century American engineering, all while preserving the original site's mystical aura in a distinctly Midwestern context.

Design and Structure

Layout and Components

Carhenge's layout centers on a circular arrangement of 39 automobiles that form the outer ring and key features, precisely scaled to replicate the sarsen stone circle and other elements of the original , which measures approximately 96 feet in diameter. These vehicles represent the major stones and features of , buried trunk-end down about 5 feet deep to mimic the upright monoliths, while maintaining proportional accuracy in their spacing and orientation. Within this circle, three prominent standing trilithons—iconic arched structures—are created by welding pairs of cars horizontally atop vertical ones, echoing the central horseshoe of lintelled stones at . Positioned just outside the northeastern perimeter of the circle, the is depicted by a single 1962 , half-buried to align with the avenue leading into the monument, much like its counterpart in . Additional elements include the slaughter stone, placed near the entrance, and two station stones marking rectangular positions outside the main ring, all integrated to complete the faithful reproduction of Stonehenge's key architectural features. The entire configuration incorporates an intentional weathered and dilapidated aesthetic, with select cars oriented horizontally for structural arches and others vertically for stability, enhancing the site's evocative, timeworn character without altering the core geometric fidelity. The arrangement of these components ensures astronomical alignments mirroring Stonehenge's solar observations, with sightlines oriented toward the summer and winter solstices as well as the equinoxes, allowing the sun to rise and set in alignment with specific gaps between the vehicles during these events. This precise orientation was achieved through consultations with archaeologists to duplicate the original monument's northeast-southwest axis. Although initially including a few non-American vehicles, the layout now exclusively features U.S.-made cars following the removal of a to emphasize domestic automotive heritage.

Materials and Construction Techniques

Carhenge was constructed using 39 vintage American automobiles sourced primarily from junkyards, selected for their large size and structural integrity to replicate the scale of Stonehenge's stones. Models from the through , such as the 1966 Delta 88 and various Chevrolet Impalas, were chosen to evoke mid-20th-century American while ensuring availability in discarded condition. All vehicles were uniformly coated with gray spray paint to mimic the weathered appearance of ancient stone, applied directly over their original finishes without primer or additional preparation beyond surface cleaning. This monochromatic treatment enhances the installation's resemblance to prehistoric megaliths, with the paint chosen for its durability against fading in direct . Following the inaugural Carhenge in June 2025, several vehicles received colorful murals painted by international artists, adding contemporary artistic elements to select parts of the structure while the core remains gray. Assembly relied on basic engineering techniques suited to the site's rural setting, with no adhesives, footings, or modern bracing employed beyond . Upright vehicles forming the circle's standing elements were positioned trunk-end down in pits excavated approximately five feet deep for foundational stability, while arches were created by horizontal cars atop vertical supports, ensuring load-bearing alignment without external . These methods prioritized simplicity and reversibility, allowing the structure to settle naturally over time. An initial exception to the American-only theme occurred during construction when non-American brand vehicles were incorporated, but they were later removed or buried to preserve thematic consistency with U.S.-made automobiles. The installation's design accounts for Nebraska's harsh prairie climate, including high winds, extreme temperature swings, and occasional severe storms, with buried bases providing anchorage against erosion and overturning. Minimal maintenance, limited to periodic repainting of exposed surfaces and debris removal, maintains the intentional "ruins" aesthetic, allowing natural weathering to contribute to its patina without structural interventions.

History

Conception and Planning

The idea for Carhenge originated in 1982 when Jim Reinders, inspired by during his seven years living in from 1976 to 1981, proposed replicating the ancient monument as a family project. While in , Reinders made multiple visits to the site, studying its design, purpose, and astronomical alignments to inform his vision. The conception was deeply personal, serving as a memorial to Reinders' father, Herman Reinders, who had died earlier that year and once lived on the family farm. During a family gathering following Herman's funeral, Reinders suggested building the replica to symbolize endurance, family legacy, and shared heritage, with relatives agreeing to reconvene in five years to realize the idea. As a University of Nebraska engineering graduate, Reinders drew on his technical background to research Stonehenge's precise dimensions and layout, ensuring proportional accuracy through informal planning without involving professional architects. Key decisions in the planning phase included selecting junked cars as the primary material, viewing them as a modern American equivalent to Stonehenge's prehistoric stones—affordable scrap that blended automotive culture with ancient symbolism. The site was chosen on the Reinders family farm near , along Nebraska Highway 87, prized for its expansive open space and profound personal ties to the family history.

Construction and Dedication

Construction of Carhenge began in the spring of 1987 and was completed over the summer, with the primary work occurring during a family reunion in June on the Reinders family farm near . Jim Reinders directed the project, which relied entirely on the efforts of approximately 35 family members acting as a volunteer , without involvement from professional contractors. The 39 vintage automobiles used were primarily sourced from nearby junkyards, farms, and dumps, ensuring locally available materials for the endeavor. The building process involved several key milestones to replicate Stonehenge's layout and proportions. Family members first excavated 5-foot-deep pits to bury the bases of upright cars for stability, then welded pairs of vehicles together to create the arches representing the monument's trilithons and lintels. Additional cars were positioned to form the outer circle, (a 1962 ), and other features, with the initial 25 vehicles installed over a six-day period during the reunion. Finally, all structures were uniformly spray-painted gray to evoke the weathered appearance of Stonehenge's stones. Carhenge was dedicated on June 21, 1987, aligning with to honor the original monument's astronomical significance. The ceremony, attended by family members and local community figures, included toasts with champagne, poetry readings, musical performances, and a custom play scripted by the Reinders clan, officially opening the site to visitors.

Ownership and Preservation

Carhenge was constructed on land owned by the Reinders family near , in 1987. Following construction, Carhenge faced threats from local enforcement, but widespread public support led to a variance in 1989, after which the Friends of Carhenge, a group formed in 1989 to protect the attraction from potential and ensure its long-term viability, received the donation of the site and the surrounding 10 acres from Jim Reinders. The Friends managed Carhenge until October 1, 2013, when they transferred ownership to the City of through a formal resolution, securing public stewardship of the landmark. In 2007, the Friends of Carhenge built the called "The Pit Stop" adjacent to the site, offering restrooms, informational displays, and basic facilities to accommodate growing visitor numbers; the project was funded by a combination of grants and private donations. Preservation efforts prioritize minimal intervention to preserve Carhenge's deliberate "ruins" aesthetic, which emulates Stonehenge's weathered and tumbled-down appearance rather than a pristine original state. Maintenance involves occasional repainting of the automobiles in uniform gray spray paint to protect against rust and weathering from Nebraska's harsh climate, while avoiding structural alterations that could alter the installation's artistic intent. During the 2000s, expansions included the development of the adjacent Car Art Reserve, an outdoor sculpture park featuring additional automotive artworks, such as Jim Reinders' "Fourd Seasons" installation using Ford vehicles and other pieces like three symbolic bells representing his siblings. As of 2025, Carhenge is managed by the City of , with the Friends of Carhenge providing ongoing nonprofit support for upkeep and fundraising; no major structural changes to the site have been reported.

Cultural Significance

Media Appearances

Carhenge received early recognition through the 2005 documentary Carhenge: Genius or Junk?, directed by David Liban, which examined the installation's artistic merit and cultural implications as a replica of Stonehenge constructed from vintage automobiles. In film and television, Carhenge appeared as a quirky landmark in Pixar's 2022 Disney+ series Cars on the Road, highlighting its status as an offbeat roadside attraction. It has also been featured in various travel programs, including episodes of PBS's Nebraska Stories (2012) and Aerial America (Season 5, Episode 7). Print and online coverage has prominently showcased Carhenge in reputable outlets, such as Atlas Obscura's detailed profile and 2022 podcast episode discussing its evolution as a local symbol, Roadside America's ongoing documentation of its quirky appeal since the early 2000s, and Magazine's 2024 feature on its role as a must-see attraction. During the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, Carhenge lay in , attracting an estimated 4,000 visitors, including Nebraska Governor , and garnering national news coverage from outlets like and for its unique viewing vantage amid the event's frenzy. Culturally, Carhenge is frequently portrayed as an exemplar of Americana and , embodying whimsical roadside creativity that blends automotive heritage with monumental mimicry, as noted in discussions of its influence on attractions like .

Visitor Experience and Events

Carhenge welcomes visitors year-round, with the site accessible daily from dawn to dusk for self-guided exploration. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged to support maintenance and preservation efforts. The typical visitor experience involves strolling along designated walking paths that circle the installation, allowing close-up views of the car alignments designed to mimic Stonehenge's solstice orientations. Photography is actively encouraged, with many guests capturing the surreal juxtaposition of vintage automobiles against the plains. Seasonal solstice gatherings draw crowds for informal observances, enhancing the site's astronomical theme. Amenities include ample free parking near the entrance, a seasonal offering souvenirs and site materials during summer months, and an online extension for year-round purchases. The visitor center, constructed in 2007, provides restrooms, exhibits on Carhenge's creation, and an information kiosk to orient newcomers. Special events highlight Carhenge's cultural role, including annual summer and celebrations that feature live music, receptions, and communal sunrise or sunset viewings aligned with the site's . The 2017 total drew thousands for organized viewing parties, leveraging Carhenge's position in . In June 2025, the inaugural Carhenge Mural Festival integrated with the Car Reserve— the surrounding collection of automotive sculptures—through demonstrations and a no-admission solstice reception on June 21. Visitors often combine their trip with self-guided exploration of the Car Reserve's additional installations, such as "Spawning Salmon" and "Fourd Seasons." As of 2025, practical tips for visitors include supporting local businesses for dining and lodging to enhance the trip, as the site itself has limited on-site options. The attraction is pet-friendly, with dogs permitted on leashes; however, no formal guided tours are available unless pre-arranged through the Friends of Carhenge organization.

References

  1. https://history.nebraska.gov/carhenge/
  2. https://carhenge.com/?page_id=308
  3. https://nebraskamagazine.org/carhenge-how-carhenge-became-nebraskas-must-see-roadside-attraction
  4. https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/carhenge-alliance-nebraska-history
  5. https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article323213.html
  6. https://latitude.to/articles-by-country/us/united-states/28144/carhenge
  7. https://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.ii.011.html
  8. https://spacesarchives.org/explore/search-the-online-collection/jim-reinders-carhenge/
  9. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/great-plains/nebraska/attractions/carhenge/a/poi-sig/1132147/361960
  10. https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2606
  11. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/carhenge
  12. https://www.1011now.com/2025/06/23/muralists-give-parts-carhenge-whole-new-look/
  13. https://www.federalwaymirror.com/life/after-seeing-carhenge-in-nebraska-my-life-is-now-complete/
  14. https://www.powelltribune.com/stories/nebraskas-carhenge-attraction-features-in-city-of-alliance%2C152076
  15. https://milesthroughtime.com/carhenge/
  16. https://extras.denverpost.com/rec/travel73.htm
  17. https://milky-way.kiwi/carhenge/
  18. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/09/03/carhenge-a-replica-of-stonehenge-made-of-thirty-eight-american-vintage-cars-and-trucks/
  19. https://patganahl.com/2018/12/21/its-carhenge/
  20. https://www.worldatlas.com/places/10-strangest-landmarks-in-the-united-states.html
  21. https://www.islands.com/1751224/nebraska-bizarre-tribute-stonehenge-quirky-scale-roadside-replica-carhenge/
  22. https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/carhenge-nebraska-car-art-reserve/
  23. https://panhandlepost.com/posts/bfb055df-b585-4e92-8cde-a0868296613a
  24. https://archive.nytimes.com/wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/26/carhenge-a-bucket-list-destination-for-those-with-time-and-gas-to-burn/
  25. https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-life/0610f1-1425-slideshow
  26. https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/seasons.html?year=1987
  27. https://www.postcardjar.com/a-quirky-place-called-carhenge/
  28. https://cityofalliance.net/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/541
  29. http://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/e1200/h037-2008.pdf
  30. https://www.howandwhy.com/howlery/why-carhenge-why-not
  31. https://autos.yahoo.com/articles/surprising-story-behind-nebraska-carhenge-135140185.html
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0481485/
  33. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/series-media/nebraska-stories-video/season-4-video-15886/carhenge-for-sale-41085402/
  34. https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/nebraska/umc.cmc.2z87wpen7na5dnxtiycrrvb8b?showId=umc.cmc.5ge2iydr5np6bu8vkc753qmbn
  35. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/podcast-carhenge
  36. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/10/541583064/as-eclipse-madness-sweeps-u-s-a-stonehenge-made-of-cars-prepares
  37. https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/nation/2017/08/17/2017-solar-eclipse-captivates-america/104695854/
  38. https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/45095550/carhenge-creator-passes-away-at-94
  39. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g29693-d209202-Reviews-Carhenge-Alliance_Nebraska.html
  40. https://visitnebraska.com/alliance/carhenge
  41. https://carhenge.com/
  42. https://carhenge.com/?page_id=35
  43. https://apnews.com/article/science-lifestyle-travel-alliance-7299fec1a5284897bbea7b59a161895b
  44. https://www.wjhl.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/816565434/the-inaugural-carhenge-mural-festival
  45. https://www.bringfido.com/attraction/14934
  46. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g29693-d209202-Reviews-Carhenge-Alliance_Nebraska.html
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