Kansas' version of Stonehenge is parked in Topeka
Creator says artwork shows his love for country
10:11 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2006
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Europe has Stonehenge. Nebraska has Carhenge. Topeka has Truckhenge.
"I figured Kansas can't be left out, we gotta have something up here - get a little excitement," said Owner of Truckhenge Ron Lessman.
Ron has been working on Truckhenge for about six years.
Additional info
Truckhenge is open to the public. Ron Lessman's Truckhenge is located at 4124 N.E. Brier Road in Topeka. If you would like a tour, call Ron at (785) 234-3486.
"Truckhenge is an expression of loving this country," he said. "It's about expression of life."
There are six trucks standing on end, buried four feet into the ground. Ron, who lives in a flood plane, must ensure the trucks won't float away.
"I put four, 3,000-pound blocks, two or four yards of concrete, two scoops of gravel, which was 4,000 pounds to a scoop of gravel. And then there was a ton of iron in each one of 'em."
The trucks date to the 1940s and '50s. Ron got them from a neighbor.
"I didn't see like throwing them away 'cause they're just too nice a specimens for trucks."
There is a colorful "Zoned to Speak Out" sign on the property and the trucks are painted with various quotes, "Rise up" and "Vote," among others.
Around Town with Dana Davis
If you have a special event happening in your community, or if you want your town featured on Good Morning Kansas. Please e-mail your ideas to dana.davis@49abcnews.com or call Dana at (785) 215-8500.Ron likes to recycle. The trucks aren't the only thing recycled. There is a self sculpture made of recycled metal and glass art made of empty bottles. This is Ron's favorite it's called Tornado.
Ron even has a Beer Bottle City, a sculptures made of thousands of bottles.
"There's 3,000 in the first one and 1,800 in the next two."
Ron received a plaque from Shawnee County Recycling and Preservation for his recycling mastery.
Ron has a sense of humor about his distinctive art.
"The bumpers, well, anybody has a question about me being a farmer. I got a bumper crop."
So why does Ron like doing this.
"Well, you gotta distinguish yourself," Ron said.
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