Gospodor Monument Park Explained
Gospodor Monument Park is a roadside attraction along Interstate 5 near Toledo, Washington, in the United States. It features four sculptures, collectively known as the Gospodor monuments,[1] [2] created in 2002. The tallest sculpture, meant to commemorate Mother Teresa, stands over 100 feet (30 m) and features a gold painted wooden statue of Jesus. Another sculpture monument features a carving of Mother Teresa posed in prayer. Two additional towering artworks honor victims of The Holocaust, which features an eternal electric flame, and a 100-foot tall tribute depicting Chief Seattle, commemorating Native Americans and other indigenous tribes.[3] Smaller memorials to historical figures, such as Susan B. Anthony, and a carved, wooden eagle encased in glass, were later added as the park expanded.[4] [5]
After their installation in 2002, the sculptures caused routine traffic jams due to drivers slowing down and rubbernecking. The monuments, along with their night lights, were highly controversial with local residents and the government of Lewis County acted to prevent additional sculptures from being erected.[6] [7]
Dominic Gospodor, who commissioned the artworks and was the landowner, died in 2010. Ownership of the park was purchased by, and transferred to, the Cowlitz Tribe two years later, with a focus on land and wildlife conservation. Gospodor's estate did not provide any funds to maintain the works and the pieces began decaying due to weather and lack of maintenance. The glass encased eagle, in good condition, was moved to downtown Toledo under a permanent loan agreement between the Cowlitz people and the city.[8]
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Notes and References
- Web site: Lyxan. Toledanes. Gospodor monuments along I-5 showing their age, with no restoration plan in place. Tdn.com. 10 October 2014. 2016-07-30. 2016-08-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20160830041903/http://tdn.com/news/local/gospodor-monuments-along-i--showing-their-age-with-no/article_bbf0e134-501b-11e4-9440-fb7d896a4065.html. live.
- Web site: Toledo, Washington: Gospodor Monuments. Roadside America. July 29, 2016. July 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160724160954/http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/7757. live.
- Web site: Terry. Richard. I-5 eye catcher: Gospodor Monument at Toledo. The Oregonian. 25 March 2009. 2016-07-30. 2016-09-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20160916111300/http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2009/03/i5_eye_catcher_gospodors_monum.html. live.
- Web site: Gospodor Monument Park . atlasobscura.com . Atlas Obscura . 2021-07-19 . 2021-07-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210719002300/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gospodor-monument-park . live .
- News: Brewer . Christopher . Gospodor Monument Will Live on In Toledo . 19 July 2021 . The Chronicle . January 9, 2015 . 19 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210719002301/https://www.chronline.com/stories/gospodor-monument-will-live-on-in-toledo,77636 . live .
- News: Mittge . Brian . December 24, 2002 . Gospodor's monuments continue to affect traffic . A3 . . Centralia, Washington.
- News: Anderson . Peggy . May 25, 2003 . Safety of motorists towers over debate about man's art . C9 . . Salem, Oregon . Associated Press . . September 11, 2018 . September 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180912091850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23655009/gospodors_monuments_in_toledo/ . live .
- News: Wagner . Bill . Eagle from Gospodor sculpture yard headed to Toledo . 19 July 2021 . The Daily News . January 6, 2015 . 19 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210719040610/https://tdn.com/news/local/eagle-from-gospodor-sculpture-yard-headed-to-toledo/article_147d9e38-95fd-11e4-b5b2-83d2085827f8.html . live .
