Most People Don't Know There's A Little Stonehenge In Nebraska
By Delana Lefevers|Published March 21, 2017
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
If you’re from Nebraska, you almost definitely know about Carhenge, which is arguably our most well-known roadside attraction. But for the rest of the world, this amusing, amazing structure still comes as a surprise. Come this August, though, our very own Carhenge will be in the spotlight, so to speak, during a fantastic cosmic event.
Three miles north of Alliance on Highway 87, you'll come across this sign beckoning you to come and see one of the oddest attractions Nebraska has to offer.
Carhenge has occupied this field since 1987, when it was dedicated on the summer solstice. Local artist Jim Reinders constructed the monument as a tribute to his late father.
Don't let the knowledge that it's a tribute sway you into thinking that there's some deeper meaning behind this man-made wonder, however.
It's not meant to be mystical or life-changing. There's no real "reason" for it - it's just a lot of fun.
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Having said that, though, it does seem rather fortuitous that Carhenge just happens to be directly in the center of the path of the August 2017 total solar eclipse. This comes exactly 30 years (and a couple of months) after the site's dedication.
This will be one of the best places in the entire country to view this rare and fascinating event.
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The original English Stonehenge aligns with the sun on the summer and winter solstices, leading some to believe that it was built as a sort of cosmic calendar or worship site.
Carhenge is neither of those things, but for one spectacular day this summer, it will feel nearly as intimately tied with the sun as its English counterpart.
People who weren't aware of Carhenge before now may very well become acquainted with it as one of the most quirky, unusual spots from which to view the total solar eclipse.
For information on the solar eclipse in Alliance, including other places that will be right in the center of the eclipse path, visit the Carhenge Solar Eclipse site.
Please note that, while admission to Carhenge is free (donations gratefully accepted), camping and eclipse-related special events may have fees associated. The Carhenge parking lot will be closed on August 20th and 21st, 2017.
The total solar eclipse is happening on August 21st, 2017, beginning at 10:27 Mountain Daylight Time, peaking at 11:50 am, and ending at 1:16 pm. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view one of nature’s rarest phenomena from Nebraska’s oddest attraction. And with people coming from around the country to enjoy Alliance’s unique location in the middle of the eclipse path, Carhenge is set to become more popular and well-known than ever.
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