Christ of the Ozarks
Eureka Springs, AR Photo courtesy Kelly Coalier
Long before you reach Eureka Springs, you may notice a giant white figure rising above the trees. The Statue of Christ, better known today as Christ of the Ozarks, has been watching over the Arkansas hills since 1966 and can be seen for miles around.
Standing 67 feet tall atop Magnetic Mountain, the statue has become one of the state's most recognizable landmarks. Its outstretched arms overlook the surrounding countryside and serve as the centerpiece of the Great Passion Play grounds, drawing visitors from across the country.
Over the years, travelers have jokingly referred to it as the "Jesus Water Tower" because of its simple shape, but the monument was built strictly as a religious landmark and has never served as a water tower. Whether you stop for the Passion Play or simply admire it from a distance, it's one of those roadside sights that's hard to forget.
UPDATE: The Jesus water tower that you mention on your website is
the "Statue of Christ", it contains no water. It is on top of a mountain
overlooking Eureka Springs, on the same property & part of the famous "Passion Play of the Ozarks". Many thanks to Lisa Noone for info. 03-06
UPDATE: Christ of the Ozarks continues welcoming visitors to Eureka Springs and remains one of Arkansas' best-known roadside landmarks. 08-26
Jesus on Cross
Gibson City, TN Photo courtesy Sherry McGee
This sign depicting a Jesus on a Cross is on a highway just outside Shelby County, TN. Not quite sure of the story behind this with the kneeling cowboy and horse. Many thanks to Sherry McGee for info. 09-06
Driving the back roads around Gibson, this Jesus on Cross monument is one of those unexpected sights that makes you slow down for a second look. Rising above the roadside, the large crucifix is easy to spot from a distance and stands quietly over the surrounding countryside.
Unlike many roadside attractions, there isn't much history to tell here. Sometimes that's part of the appeal. It's simply a landmark that catches your eye as you pass by, whether you're heading home or just exploring the highways of west Tennessee.
UPDATE: Not sure if this is still around. 08-26
Ramesses and Pyramid (Gone)
Memphis, TN Photo courtesy Sherry McGee
Check out this statue of Ramesses in front of The Pyramid. The University of Memphis used to play their games in this venue, but now that the Fed Ex Forum has opened, The Pyramid is rarely used. Many thanks to Sherry McGee for info. 09-06
For years, anyone heading toward the Memphis Pyramid was greeted by a towering Ramesses standing guard outside the entrance. With the giant glass pyramid rising behind him, it was one of the city's most unusual roadside scenes.
The 25-foot-tall statue was installed in 1991 as a tribute to Memphis' namesake in Egypt and quickly became a favorite photo stop for visitors. It looked right at home beside the Pyramid, tying together the city's Egyptian theme in a way few landmarks could. When the Pyramid was transformed into Bass Pro Shops, the pharaoh found a new home. In 2012, the giant fiberglass statue was carefully moved across town to the University of Memphis, where it continues welcoming visitors from a much quieter setting.
UPDATE: Ramesses no longer stands outside the Memphis Pyramid. The statue survives today on the University of Memphis campus. 08-26
Viking
Memphis, TN Photo courtesy Sherry McGee
Standing watch over the entrance to Hillcrest High School is a giant Viking that's been greeting students for generations. Towering above the front doors, "Erik the Viking" is one of Memphis' most unusual roadside landmarks, even if most people only see him while driving past the school. 09-06
The fiberglass giant wasn't originally built for a school at all. He began life as an advertising figure for a Memphis business before being donated to Hillcrest in the early 1970s, where he became the perfect mascot for the Vikings.
For years, Erik did more than just stand there. Hidden speakers inside the statue allowed school officials to make him "talk," surprising students with booming greetings as they arrived each morning. The voice has long since gone silent, but the giant Viking remains a favorite part of the campus and one of the few surviving Muffler Man variants of his kind.
UPDATE: Erik the Viking continues standing guard over the entrance to Hillcrest High School. 08-26
Dizzy Gillespie
Cheraw, SC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Take a stroll through downtown Cheraw and you'll come face to face with one of jazz music's true legends. The bronze Dizzy Gillespie statue captures the hometown favorite doing what he did best, trumpet raised and cheeks puffed out in his unmistakable style. 02-08
Born in Cheraw in 1917, Dizzy Gillespie helped change the sound of modern jazz and never forgot where he came from. He was known to proudly introduce himself as being from "Chee-raw, South Carolina," making this small town famous wherever his music took him.
The seven-foot bronze statue was dedicated in 2002 and has become one of Cheraw's most popular landmarks. Take a closer look and you'll notice his trademark bent trumpet, a faithful recreation of the instrument that became part of his legendary stage presence. If you're passing through town, it's worth stopping for a photo with one of South Carolina's greatest musicians before heading on down the road.
UPDATE: The Dizzy Gillespie statue continues welcoming visitors to downtown Cheraw and remains the centerpiece of the town's annual jazz celebration. 08-26
Christ of the Ozarks
Jesus on Cross
Ramesses and Pyramid (Gone)
Viking
Dizzy Gillespie
