If you’re driving along US-22 or US-322 just north of Harrisburg, you’ll probably do a double-take. It’s unavoidable. Right there, perched on a weathered stone piling in the middle of the Susquehanna River, stands a replica of the Lady Liberty. It looks out of place. It’s small. It’s lonely. But the Pennsylvania Statue of Liberty is actually one of the most beloved local landmarks in the Keystone State, mostly because it started as a total mystery.
It’s about 25 feet tall.
Most people assume it was some government project or a historical marker. Nope. It was a prank. Or, more accurately, a massive act of "guerrilla art" that the city eventually decided it couldn't live without.
The Night the Pennsylvania Statue of Liberty Appeared
Imagine it’s July 1986. The real Statue of Liberty in New York is celebrating its centennial. There’s a huge buzz nationally. Then, overnight, a smaller version suddenly manifests on an old bridge pier in the Dauphin Narrows.
Nobody knew where it came from.
For weeks, the Pennsylvania Statue of Liberty was a local enigma. It wasn't made of copper or steel, though. The original was actually constructed from Venetian blinds and plywood. It was a DIY masterpiece. The creator, a local lawyer named Gene Stilp, kept his identity a secret for a long time. He and a few friends built it in a garage, hauled it out on a boat in the dead of night, and hoisted it onto the Marysville Bridge piling.
It was dangerous. The Susquehanna has a nasty current there.
Stilp later admitted he just wanted to celebrate the centennial in a way that felt "local." He didn't ask for permits. He didn't seek a grant. He just did it. Honestly, that’s about as Pennsylvania as it gets. You don't wait for permission; you just build a statue on a rock and see if anyone notices.
Why the Original Didn't Last
Plywood doesn't like water. Or wind. Or ice.
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By the early 90s, the original Pennsylvania Statue of Liberty was looking pretty rough. The Venetian blinds were snapping. The wood was rotting. It was basically a ghost of a statue. In 1992, a heavy wind storm finally did it in. The lady fell.
But here is where the story gets cool.
The community actually missed her. You’d think a "fake" statue would be forgotten, but the people of Dauphin and Harrisburg had started using it as a landmark for fishing, boating, and just giving directions. "Turn left past the statue" was a real thing people said.
A massive fundraising effort began. Locals raised about $30,000—which is a lot of bake sales and car washes—to build a permanent version. This time, they weren't using blinds. They hired a fabricator to create a fiberglass version that could actually stand up to the Susquehanna’s mood swings.
The New Lady of the River
The current version was lowered into place by a helicopter in 1997. It’s much more durable. It stands about 25 feet high, including the base, which makes it roughly one-tenth the size of the original in New York Harbor.
- Material: White fiberglass (reinforced)
- Placement: Pier of the former Marysville Bridge
- Height: Approximately 25 feet total
- Accessibility: Viewable only by car or boat
It’s white, not green. That's a common point of confusion for tourists. While the New York version is copper that turned green through oxidation, the Pennsylvania Statue of Liberty was built to be stark white so it pops against the dark water and the trees of the surrounding mountains.
Realities of Visiting the Statue
If you’re planning to see it, don’t expect a gift shop. There isn't a dock. You can't climb it.
The best way to see it is from a pull-off on Route 322 East. If you’re heading West, it’s a bit harder to spot because you’re focused on the curves of the river. There is a small parking area near the Dauphin narrows where you can get out with binoculars.
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Honestly, the best view is from a kayak.
The water around the pier can be tricky. The Susquehanna is notoriously shallow but has deep "holes" and fast-moving channels. If you’re paddling out there, you have to be careful of the bridge piers. The "Dauphin Narrows" are called that for a reason. The river squeezes through a gap in the mountains, and the current picks up speed.
Why the Location Matters
The piling itself is a piece of history. It’s a remnant of the Marysville Bridge, a massive stone arch bridge that used to carry trains across the river. Most of the bridge is gone now, leaving these giant stone teeth sticking out of the water. Placing the Pennsylvania Statue of Liberty on one of these was a stroke of genius because it repurposed industrial ruins into art.
The Legal Side of Guerrilla Landmarks
Gene Stilp’s little stunt actually caused some headaches initially. Technically, it was an illegal structure on a waterway.
Usually, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or the Fish and Boat Commission would have a field day with this. But the public support was so overwhelming that the "illegal" statue was grandfathered into the landscape. It’s a rare example of "ask for forgiveness, not permission" actually working out in the long run.
It proves that if you make something people love, the red tape usually finds a way to move.
Things Most People Get Wrong
First off, it’s not the only one. There are dozens of Statue of Liberty replicas across the U.S. (many were installed by the Boy Scouts in the 1950s). But this is the only one in the middle of a major river on a ruined bridge pier.
Second, it’s not meant to be a political statement.
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While Stilp is known for being a bit of a political activist in Pennsylvania—often seen with a giant inflatable pink pig at the Capitol—the statue was always about civic pride and the "Spirit of '76" vibe. It was a gift to the commuters who spend hours stuck in traffic on 322. It gives them something to look at besides the bumper of a semi-truck.
How to Get the Best Photo
You’ll want a long lens. Your iPhone's standard zoom is going to make it look like a tiny white speck.
- Golden Hour: The sun sets behind the mountains to the west, casting a glow directly onto the front of the statue.
- Winter Viewing: When the trees are bare, the contrast between the white fiberglass and the grey rocks is much sharper.
- Drone Use: Be careful. The wind in the narrows is unpredictable. However, a drone is the only way to get a "face-to-face" shot of the lady.
The Cultural Impact of a River Icon
Pennsylvania is full of weird roadside attractions. We have a shoe-shaped house. We have a coffeepot-shaped building. But the Pennsylvania Statue of Liberty feels different. It’s not a business. It’s not trying to sell you anything.
It’s just there.
It has survived floods that completely submerged the pier. It has survived freezing winters where the Susquehanna turns into a moving sheet of jagged ice. Every time people think it might get swept away, it holds on.
What You Should Do Next
If you are passing through Central PA, set your GPS for the Dauphin Narrows.
- Pack Binoculars: You really can't see the detail of the crown or the torch without them from the shoreline.
- Safety First: If you decide to boat out, wear a life jacket. The eddies around those old piers are no joke and have flipped plenty of experienced paddlers.
- Check the Water Levels: If the Susquehanna is at "flood stage," the statue looks like she’s walking on water. If it’s a drought, you can see the massive foundations of the old bridge.
- Visit Dauphin Borough: After seeing the statue, stop in the nearby town. It’s a classic Pennsylvania river town with that quiet, mountainous feel that makes the statue's presence feel even more surreal.
The Pennsylvania Statue of Liberty remains a testament to what happens when one person has a weird idea and a community decides to back it up. It’s a piece of folk art that became a permanent part of the geography.
When you see it, remember it started with Venetian blinds and a dream of annoying the local authorities just enough to make them smile. It’s a reminder that landmarks don't always need a billion-dollar budget or a grand opening ceremony. Sometimes, they just need a boat and a dark night.
To see it yourself, take the Halifax exit off US-322 and look for the river-side pull-offs between Dauphin and Marysville. Keep your eyes on the river, not just the road, or you'll miss the smallest, bravest Lady Liberty in America.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the current river levels via the USGS Susquehanna River gauge at Harrisburg before heading out. If the water is above 7 feet, the base of the pier will be partially obscured, providing a unique photo opportunity where the statue appears to float. For the most stable viewing, use the official Appalachian Trail access points nearby, which offer some of the most stable ground for setting up a tripod. Avoid stopping directly on the shoulder of the highway; use the designated gravel pull-outs to ensure your safety and that of other drivers on this busy corridor.