Every year, 800,000 people visit Stonehenge. Located in Southern England, the reason Stonehenge exists is still debated, although many scholars agree it was a burial ground. While scholars can agree on that, the source of how Stonehenge came to be (with only manpower), why the stones are upright, and how the bluestones from the inner ring were transported nearly 200 miles from their original home in Wales, all remain mysteries. They will probably remain so for as long as we can predict. But you don't have to book a plane ticket to England to (fully) experience it.
Located on Old Highway 86 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina's own Stonehenge is a place that usually goes unnoticed by passing travelers and even locals.
Hartleyhenge, named after creator John Hartley, is one of the most unique roadside attractions found in North Carolina. Aside from being a modern day ode to the famous Stonehenge, information behind 'why' remains almost unknown. Coincidentally enough, just like Stonehenge itself. Hartleyhenge 'spirals' and creates a pattern to the center. Even from the road, the spiral can be witnessed.
Before Hartleyhenge, architect John Hartley designed several subdivisions in the Orange County area. Relating to his 'gathering' area of Hartleyhenge, each community he designed had a central location for social events. Be it an amphitheater, gathering spot, even labyrinth. It seems Hartley worked to bring people together, even through sourcing one of the World's greatest mysteries.
In his new book, Did You See That? author Joe Sledge gives us fascinating insight into the creative genius of North Carolina's Stonehenge. "While most developments attack the land, clearing and flattening it so that as many houses can be built in the space as possible, Hartley would do the opposite. He would examine the land, letting it determine how the house would be built. His homes would have a south facing front, in order to let in the sun and moon throughout the day and night. He would go on medicine walks, linking himself with the land, and build from the ground up. His home design followed the philosophy of Frank Lloyd Wright, believing that the home and land should be in agreement, that they should grow together.
Many of his homes are impressive in that they have a large amount of trees on them, rather than being cleared of any vertical life. The homes are almost hidden by nature, they are so nestled into the native land. He even took that belief into developing entire neighborhoods. All the subdivisions he built have a communal space within them. Among the things he has placed in his developments are a labyrinth and an amphitheater. It is his way to get the residents out of their houses and into the land where they live. He creates a sense of community and awareness in his designs."
While Stonehenge will always remain a mystery, it seems Hartleyhenge is a bit easier to crack. It simply operates as a gathering place, as an ode to community, to patterns and circles and developments of life, to accepting the unknown, the mysteries of nature, and allowing those mysteries to intersect with our daily lives in a way we can experience firsthand.
If you want to visit Hartleyhenge for yourself, it's located in Stone Knoll, a newer housing development in the Chapel Hill area. There's a small area for parking and a short walk to North Carolina's own Stonehenge. If you want to know more about Hartleyhenge, and other interesting spots to see in North Carolina, pick up a copy of Did You See That?
Have you visited Hartleyhenge for yourself? If you can't get enough of North Carolina oddities, these 11 museums are too weird for words.
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