If you’re driving through the winding, emerald-green hills of Northwest Arkansas, something weird usually happens when you get near Eureka Springs. You’ll be rounding a sharp bend, maybe dodging a stray deer, and suddenly—boom. There he is. A massive, chalk-white figure looming over the treeline on Magnetic Mountain.
That’s the Christ of the Ozarks statue.
It’s big. Really big. We’re talking seven stories of concrete and mortar that weigh over two million pounds. Honestly, it’s one of those things you have to see in person to appreciate the sheer scale, even if the design itself makes some people scratch their heads. It’s been sitting there since 1966, staring out over the Victorian village below with arms spread 65 feet wide.
But here’s the thing: it isn’t just a religious monument. It’s a lightning rod for controversy, a feat of old-school engineering, and a piece of Americana that’s arguably as famous for its "Milk Carton Jesus" nickname as it is for its spiritual significance.
The Wild Origin Story You Probably Didn't Expect
Most people assume a church or a group of monks built this. Nope. The statue was actually the brainchild of Gerald L.K. Smith.
Smith was a polarizing figure, to put it lightly. He was a political firebrand, a one-time ally of Huey Long, and—this is the part people often gloss over—an outspoken anti-Semite and white supremacist. He moved to Eureka Springs in his later years and wanted to build a religious theme park he called "Sacred Projects."
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The Christ of the Ozarks statue was meant to be the centerpiece.
He hired Emmet Sullivan to do the sculpting. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Sullivan was an apprentice on the Mount Rushmore project. He brought that "big scale" energy to Magnetic Mountain, but instead of carving into the rock, he built outward. They finished the whole thing in 1966, and since then, it’s become one of the most visited spots in the state.
The "Gumby" Controversy: Why Does It Look Like That?
Let's be real—the design is... unique. It doesn't look like the classic, flowing Renaissance statues of Jesus you see in Europe. It's minimalist. Modernistic.
Some critics have been brutal. They’ve called it "Our Milk Carton with Arms" or "Gumby Christ." Because the lines are so straight and the face is relatively flat, it lacks the detailed musculature or fabric folds you might expect from a "masterpiece."
But the simplicity was intentional. It was designed to be seen from 20 miles away. At that distance, the fine details of a beard or the wrinkles in a robe would just disappear. What you see from the valley is a giant white cross. As you get closer, it resolves into a human figure.
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Statue Specs by the Numbers:
- Height: 67 feet (roughly 7 stories).
- Weight: 540 tons (roughly 1,080,000 pounds).
- Arm Span: 65 feet from fingertip to fingertip.
- Face Length: 15 feet.
- Hand Size: 7 feet from wrist to tip.
Everything was done by hand. No pre-cast segments. No shortcuts. They applied 24 layers of white mortar over a massive steel frame. The foundation alone uses 340 tons of concrete that is basically welded into the mountain's bedrock. They say it can withstand 500 mph winds, which is handy since Arkansas gets its fair share of tornadoes.
Visiting the Christ of the Ozarks Statue Today
If you want to see it, the good news is that it’s free. You don’t have to pay a dime to park or walk up to the base.
It’s located on the grounds of The Great Passion Play, which is a massive outdoor drama that reenacts the last days of Jesus. Even if you aren't there for the play, the grounds are worth a wander. They’ve got a section of the Berlin Wall, a Holy Land tour, and some surprisingly great mountain biking trails.
Yes, mountain biking.
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The "Great Passion Play Trails" are actually world-class. You can literally shred down a mountain on a high-end bike and fly right past a 67-foot Jesus. It’s a very "Arkansas" experience.
Getting There
The address is 937 Passion Play Road, Eureka Springs, AR. It’s a bit of a climb up the mountain, but the roads are paved. If you go at night, the statue is lit up by massive floodlights, and it looks almost ghostly against the dark sky.
Why It Still Matters (And Why People Fight Over It)
The statue has stayed in the headlines long after Smith passed away. In 2021, an activist group called Indecline managed to sneak up and hang a massive "God Bless Abortions" banner across the statue’s chest. It made national news and sparked a huge debate about sacred space versus political protest.
Then there’s the town of Eureka Springs itself. The town is famous for being an "inclusive oasis"—it's very LGBTQ+ friendly and artistic. Having a giant statue built by a known white supremacist overlooking such a progressive town creates a fascinating, albeit tense, juxtaposition.
Most locals have made peace with it. To many, it’s just "the statue"—a landmark that brings in tourism dollars and serves as a literal North Star when you're lost on the backroads.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Timing is everything: Go at sunset. The white mortar catches the orange light in a way that’s actually pretty stunning, regardless of your religious views.
- Bring your walking shoes: The area around the base is paved, but if you want to explore the surrounding trails or the "Holy Land" section, you’ll be on your feet a lot.
- Look for the pressure hole: There’s a small, two-foot rectangular opening in the top of the head. It’s there to equalize air pressure in case a tornado hits. Most people miss it!
- Check the schedule: If you want to see the Great Passion Play, it usually runs from May through October on specific nights.
- Don't skip the town: Eureka Springs is full of "haunted" hotels (like the Crescent) and weird limestone architecture. Make a full day of it.
If you're into photography, try to get a shot from the lower parking lot looking up. It’s the only way to really capture just how small the people look standing at the statue's feet. It's a massive, weird, complicated, and strangely beautiful part of the American landscape that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
For your next steps, check the local weather forecast before heading up Magnetic Mountain, as fog can completely obscure the statue, and the winding roads are best navigated in clear conditions. You might also want to look into booking a room at one of the historic hotels in downtown Eureka Springs to make the most of a weekend trip.