Maryhill Stonehenge

The Maryhill Stonehenge is a replica of England's Stonehenge located in Maryhill, Washington. It was commissioned in the early 20th century by the wealthy entrepreneur Sam Hill, and dedicated on 4 July 1918 as a memorial to the people who had died in World War I.

Stonehenge World War I memorial at Maryhill

The memorial is constructed of concrete, and construction was commenced in 1918 and completed in 1929.

Historical significance

The Maryhill Stonehenge was the first monument in the United States to honor the dead of World War I – specifically, soldiers from Klickitat County, Washington who had died in the then ongoing war. The altar stone is placed to be aligned with sunrise on the summer solstice.

Following the then-prevalent interpretation of Stonehenge, Hill thought that the original monument had been used as a sacrificial site. He was a Quaker, and commissioned the replica as a reminder that humanity is still capable of being sacrificed to the god of war.[1][2]

The monument is located within the former site of the town of Maryhill; the town later burned down, leaving only the concrete replica standing. The memorial overlooks the Columbia Gorge. A second formal dedication of the monument took place upon its completion on 30 May 1929. Sam Hill died in 1931, but lived long enough to see the re-installation of his Stonehenge replica completed.[3]

The dedication plaque on this Washington Stonehenge is inscribed:

In memory of the soldiers and sailors of Klickitat County who gave their lives in defense of their country. This monument is erected in the hope that others inspired by the example of their valor and their heroism may share in that love of liberty and burn with that fire of patriotism which death can alone quench.

Current status

The Maryhill Stonehenge, which also includes monuments to the soldiers of Klickitat County who died in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan is now part of the Maryhill Museum of Art.

This concrete landmark is located off U.S. Highway 97, about two miles from where entering Washington from Oregon is permitted by crossing the Columbia River by bridge. Admission is free to visit the memorial; but donations for its continued maintenance are appreciated.

360° panorama inside the Maryhill Stonehenge replica. Plaques commemorating WWI soldiers can be seen as well as glimpses of the Columbia River

References
  1. "Sam Hill's Stonehenge". Roadside America. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
  2. "Stonehenge Memorial & Klickitat County Veterans' Memorials". Maryhill Museum of Art. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
  3. Becker, Paula (14 June 2006). "Altar stone of Stonehenge replica built to memorialize World War I soldiers is dedicated at Maryhill on 4 July 1918. HistoryLink.org Essay 7809". HistoryLink. Retrieved 2008-07-26.

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