Al Shepperd, a hotel owner from Dallas who had retired to his ranch on FM 1340 north of Hunt, was very proud of the piece of limestone that his friend had given to him. He stood it on end in his field and mowed all around it, but no one seemed to notice. He hired his friend, Doug Hill, to manufacture more "stones" from plaster applied to a wire-mesh frame and create an archway in the field.

       The stone arch reminded him of pictures he had seen of Stonehenge, the mysterious stone circle in England. Soon he had Hill creating a 13-foot-high model of the famous relic right here in the Hill Country. People have been noticing for the past 20 years.

      Before Shepperd died in 1994, he and Hill added two stucco imitations of the big heads from Easter Island. The curious sight became a major tourist attraction, even bringing an occasional tour bus to the out-of-the way location.

       Shepperd's nephew, also named Al Shepperd, decided this year to sell the property. His real estate agent convinced him that the property would not sell while the famous work of art was still there. He donated it to the Hill Country Arts Foundation, who set out to raise the $50,000 necessary to move the massive structure to their location in Ingram.

       Donations were forthcoming, and the huge "stones" were moved in August, but the foundation has not yet raised enough money to pay for repairs and reconstruction. Stonehenge II sits half-way put together between the Guadalupe River and Highway 39. Anyone wishing to help complete the task may donate through Facebook, at "Save Stonehenge II."

By John Hallowell

John Hallowell is the past editor of several Hill Country publications. He has been exploring the Texas Hill Country for almost 20 years.

Comments(1):

1. Stonehenge II

   John, I remember seeing it for the first time on a Vincent Motorcycle when we had a North American Ralley in Kerrville. It was one of the stops on the ride that day and we all had our pictures with the bikes in front of the formation. It is sad that they were told to remove it because it wouldn't sell. It was a great surprise in the middle of nowhere to happen upon. A treat that a lot of folks will never have the chance to have only now they will have to see it amid the traffic of a bigger town instead of the quite of the countryside of Texas. I like your article. Good as always. Thanks for your time, travel and talent.

   Saturday, October 23, 2010 Emily