Near Goldendale in Klickitat County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Stonehenge
The design duplicates in size and original form England's famous Stonehenge (dated 1900-1350 B.C.) on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. When Hill, a Quaker pacifist, visited England during the 1914-18 conflict, saw Stonehenge and was told it had been used for human sacrifices to pagan gods he remarked: "After all our civilization, the flower of humanity is still being sacrificed to the god of war on fields of battle." From that inspiration came this monument, built by Hill. On July 4, 1918 the altar stone was dedicated. The full structure was completed and dedicated May 30, 1929.
Today the sacrifice legend is generally discredited. Current belief is that Stonehenge was a device used by stone-age astronomers to measure time and mark seasons of the year by observing positions of the sun and moon. The diagram at left suggests how the original may have been used by its ingenious builders.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1929.
Location. 45° 41.672′ N, 120° 48.357′ W. Marker is near Goldendale, Washington, in Klickitat County. Memorial can be reached from Stonehenge Drive, ¾ mile south of Lewis and Clark Highway (Washington Route 14), on the right when traveling south. The monument is visible from Stonehenge Drive. Marker is located next to the monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goldendale WA 98620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sam Hill Country (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Sight of the Columbia River (approx. 2.7 miles away in Oregon); Deschutes River Crossing Oregon Trail Kiosk (approx. 6.6 miles away in Oregon); Deschutes River Crossing (approx. 6.6 miles away in Oregon); View of Mount Jefferson (approx. 7.6 miles away); Celilo Falls (approx. 7.6 miles away); Wyam (approx. 7.6 miles away); Great Falls of the Columbia (approx. 7.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Roadside America - Sam Hill's Stonehenge. (Submitted on April 15, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 659 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 15, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3. submitted on January 14, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 15, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.