Washington State's Stonehenge

High on a hill overlooking the Columbia River sits a replica of Great Britain's Stonehenge.  In completed formation (unlike that of the stone remnants of Great Britain's historical site), this monument was built of concrete with every pillar and crossbeam in place.  It is orientated in exactly the same astronomical position as that utilized by the original, ancient builders half a world away to align an altar stone with the rising sun of the summer solstice-every June twenty-first.

Dedicating the site of this new monument on July 4, 1918, Samuel Hill, a Quaker, began to build his "Stonehenge" to commemorate and honor the dead of World War I.  Erroneously believing that the original Stonehenge was a place used for sacrifice, Hill built his monument as a reminder to people that men were still being sacrificed to the god of war.  It was completed on May 30, 1929, two years before Samuel Hill passed away.  Originally built in the center of a town called Maryhill, it currently stands alone on a hill amid a meadow devoid of any buildings after surviving a fire that completely burned down the former town.

Nearly 100 years old, now the monument is showing the tiniest traces of wear along its edges.  Maybe a thousand years from now it will more closely resemble the rough edged rocks of its counterpart, but in the meantime its massive construction inspires awe as it towers over our heads.  The view is magnificent.  In one direction, white capped Mount Hood gleams in the sun in the distance across a meadow, while closer below us tugs ply barges along the Columbia River.  The rolling hills around the monument give testimony to the dryness of this area's climate with few trees and miles of undulating grasses that eventually give way to barren hills.

The visitors are sparse, but steadily coming and going from this low-key tourist attraction.  Names of soldiers from Klickitat County who died in World War I a hundred years ago, appear on plaques placed around the monument on each pillar-memorialized forever.  It is a solemn place if one focuses on the implications of war, but the beauty of the view and the perpetual motion of the river are soothing.  This would be a nice place to be remembered at for all of eternity.  I am thankful that Samuel Hill felt the same way a hundred years ago.  I am glad I have added this adventure to my repertoire.