The Enchanted Highway, North Dakota

The Enchanted Highway is a 32-mile stretch of highway starting at Exit 72 on Interstate 94, about 20 miles east of Dickinson, in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of North Dakota. The paved county highway, which begins near the town of Gladstone and terminates at Regent, features a collection of large scrap metal sculptures depicting geese, deer, pheasants, grasshoppers, Teddy Roosevelt, and even a complete Tin Family. The sculptures were created by retired school teacher Gary Greff, from the town of Regent, who did it in the hopes of putting his hometown prominently on the map and thus prevent it from fading away into obscurity. “Pheasants on the Prairie”, one of the sculptures on the Enchanted Highway. Photo credit Small towns in the country were slowly being deserted and Gary Greff was worried about this growing trend. So beginning in 1990, he started creating massive metal sculptures that he planned to place along the Regency-Gladstone Road every few miles to arouse the curiosity of drivers and tourist using the road. Gary wants to create ten sculptures. So far, he has completed seven and the eighth one is reportedly in progress. All the sculptures face north, toward the oncoming traffic from the interstate, and each one is accompanied by a pull-out area with place for picnic and tourists to unwind. It was Gary’s idea to rename the road the Enchanted Highway. Gary is helped by volunteers and local farmers who know about metal works and welding. Some farmers also gave him generous terms on leasing land to erect the work – something like $1 for 20 year lease, with renewal. Local boy scout troops and shop class have helped with some of the signs and picnic tables. But Gary does most of the work and all the maintenance. He cuts the grass under the statues, and builds the parking areas and fences. Although Gary struggles for money and material for each construction, his dreams are big.