Just north of Alliance, Nebraska, along Highway 87, stands a replication of Stonehenge, England's ancient mystical alignment of stones that chart the sun and the moon phases.

Both locations are famous in their own right, Stonehenge stands alone on a plain in England, while Carhenge towers over the plains of Nebraska.

Sir John Aubrey was the first to recognize the English earthworks and great stones as a prehistoric temple in 1648 that would become known as Stonehenge. It wasn't until excavations in the 1920s that there were found to be holes cut in the ground to hold timber uprights. A total of 56 holes were discovered and named the Aubrey Holes in honor of his initial observations.

Jim Reinders is the artist of the unique car sculpture based on the English landmark, and over the years he experimented with unusual and interesting artistic creations throughout his life. While living in England, he had the opportunity to study the design and purpose of Stonehenge. His desire to replicate Stonehenge in physical size and placement came to fruition in the summer of 1987 with the help of family members and friends.

Carhenge was built as a memorial to Reinders' father who once lived on the farm where Carhenge now stands. It was while relatives were gathered following the passing of Reinders' father in 1982, that a discussion turned to creating some sort of memorial, and the idea of a Stonehenge replica was developed. The family agreed to gather in five years and build it. In June of 1987 the family clan, 35 strong, gathered and went to work. The official dedication was held on the summer solstice in 1987 with
champagne, poetry, songs and a play written by the family.

There are 38 cars from the ’50s and ’60s placed to assume the same proportions as Stonehenge with the circle measuring in at roughly 96 feet in diameter. Some of the cars are held upright in pits 5 feet deep, trunk end down, while those cars which are placed to form the arches of the circle have been welded in place. The honor of depicting the heel stone goes to a 1962 Caddy.

Carhenge sits on a 10-acre site and is owned today by the city of Alliance. The day I was there was cloudy and overcast with a few sprinkles of rain here and there. Still I could not just sit in my truck without getting out to wander in and among this formation I had always wanted to see. I must also mention that there are other additional car sculptures on site called the "Car Art Reserve" that have been erected on the property, so when you get there, there is a lot more to see then the Carhenge formation.

Reinders gave Carhenge and the 10 acres of the ground it sits on to the Friends of Carhenge, a local group of dedicated people who preserved and maintained it until October of 2013 when it was gifted to the city of Alliance.

There is a small visitor center and gift shop on the property, called "The Pit Stop" which was added in 2007. Carhenge's uniqueness, novelty and unusual components continue to draw the attention of film and television production crews as well as over 100,000 visitors from all over the world.

Sadly Jim Reinders passed away in October of 2021; however what he created and his legacy will continue for years and years thanks to his dedication and above all his creativeness.

Last but not least I was thrilled to have finally made it there to see Carhenge in person, and I'm sorry I never took the time to stop before when I was so close (37 miles) as I passed through Bridgeport, Nebraska on my way to one or more other photography assignments. Now that I have been there, I can suggest that if you are ever close to Alliance, Nebraska, you should stop and visit this site. Unlike other sites this one has no fees whatsoever, so even if you're not a car nut like I am, it's still worth it to stop.