What’s the Story With This Whimsical Sculpture Garden in Montana?
I'm kicking myself for not noticing this gem of a sculpture park sooner.
I've probably driven past this whimsical sculpture garden just outside of Hamilton, Montana, a dozen times and I've never really noticed it. That was until this weekend.
I had gone for a hike up the Blodgett Canyon Overlook Trail. If you've hiked those trails then you know that when you're heading south on US-93 you turn onto Bowman Road to head west toward the mountains.
There on the left-hand side of the road was a menagerie of creations, each larger than life, and several of them turning and twisting, like animatronics at a theme park.
There was what looked like a small, gravel parking lot and an entry with no gate so I pulled over and go out.
I saw benches facing each of the sculptures so I was pretty sure this was in fact something meant to be enjoyed.
This one sort of reminds me of Disney's Wall-E.
And I loved the way this one uses old farm machinery to look like a pinwheel.
This one reminds me of a Ferris wheel without seats.
There were other Montana-esque features, too.
But I think the structure that looked the most magnificent was the fire lookout with its geometric pattern of supports and the winding staircase.
Here's the kicker: for what appeared to be a sculpture park, I couldn't find a sign or placard anywhere that explained what I was looking at, who made it, or why it was there.
I asked around and someone said that a man built the sculptures for his wife, but they didn't know any of the specifics.
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