Texas is weird. You probably already knew that, but if you drive about an hour northwest of San Antonio into the heart of the Hill Country, it gets weirder in the best possible way. You’re cruising through Ingram, minding your own business past the cypress trees and the Guadalupe River, and suddenly there it is: a massive, gray prehistoric monument sitting in a field. Except it isn’t prehistoric. And it’s not in England. It’s Stonehenge II at the Hill Country Arts Foundation, and honestly, it’s one of those roadside oddities that actually lives up to the hype.
It’s easy to dismiss this as just another "world's largest ball of twine" type of trap. It isn't. While the original Stonehenge took thousands of years and a whole lot of mysterious labor to build, this version was born out of a joke between two neighbors and a leftover piece of limestone.
People come here expecting a cheap plastic imitation. What they find is a surprisingly soulful tribute to human boredom and creativity. It’s about 90% the height of the original and 60% of the width. It feels substantial. When you stand in the center of the circle, the limestone-plastered shapes tower over you, blocking out the Texas sun just enough to make you forget you're in Kerr County.
The Origin Story Nobody Believes
This wasn't some corporate marketing stunt. It started in 1989 on a ranch in Hunt, Texas. Al Shepperd, a local landowner, found a limestone rock that looked vaguely like one of the monoliths from the Salisbury Plain. He offered it to his friend and neighbor, Doug Hill.
Hill didn't just put it in his garden. He stood it up.
Then he built another one.
Soon, Shepperd was funding a full-scale project. They weren't trying to trick anyone into thinking it was ancient. They were just having fun. Hill used steel armatures, wire mesh, and a lot of plaster to recreate the look of weathered stone. They even added two fake Easter Island Moai heads because, well, why not? If you're going to build a megalithic monument in your backyard, you might as well go all out.
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For nearly 20 years, the "Texas Stonehenge" sat on private land in Hunt. It became a pilgrimage site for road-trippers and eccentrics. But when Shepperd passed away and the land was sold, the monument faced a literal existential crisis. It’s not like you can just put a stone circle in a U-Haul.
Moving a Mountain to the Hill Country Arts Foundation
This is where the Hill Country Arts Foundation (HCAF) enters the picture. Moving the monument was a massive logistical nightmare. We’re talking about structures that were never meant to be moved. They were built into the Texas soil.
In 2010, a massive fundraising effort saved the stones. They were carefully cut from their foundations, loaded onto flatbed trailers, and hauled to the HCAF campus in Ingram. It took about nine months to get everything situated and "re-planted" in the ground.
Today, it sits on the Point Theatre’s grounds. It’s free. It’s open from dawn to dusk. There aren't any velvet ropes or aggressive security guards telling you not to touch the "rocks." You can walk right up to them, feel the texture of the plaster, and take as many photos as your phone can hold.
The HCAF is a nonprofit that focuses on theater and visual arts, so the monument fits perfectly. It’s a piece of performance art that just happens to be made of steel and concrete.
Why the Location Actually Works
Ingram is a tiny town. It has a population of maybe 1,800 people. Putting Stonehenge II at the Hill Country Arts Foundation here gives the town a gravity it wouldn't otherwise have. You have the Guadalupe River right there—literally steps away—which offers some of the best swimming holes in the state.
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The contrast is jarring. You have these ancient-looking, Druidic shapes framed by classic Texas scenery: scrub oaks, limestone bluffs, and the occasional deer wandering through the circle. It shouldn't work, but it does.
Debunking the "Fake" Label
Is it "fake"? Sure. It’s not 4,000 years old. But "fake" implies a lack of effort. Doug Hill spent hundreds of hours meticulously shaping the plaster to mimic the erosion patterns found on the real stones in England.
If you look closely at the "stones," you’ll see where he carved in cracks and pockmarks. He wanted it to feel heavy. He wanted it to feel like it had been there forever. Standing there at sunset, when the shadows stretch across the grass and the light hits the Moai heads, you don't really care that there’s rebar inside. You just appreciate that someone had the audacity to build it.
What to Do When You Get There
Don't just jump out of the car, snap a selfie, and leave. You’ll miss the point.
- Walk the Perimeter: Start from the outside and spiral in. It gives you a sense of the scale that a photo can't capture.
- Find the Moai: Most people focus on the circle, but the Easter Island heads are tucked away nearby. They have a completely different vibe—stoic and a little bit goofy.
- Check out the HCAF Gallery: Since you’re already at the Hill Country Arts Foundation, walk over to the actual buildings. They often have rotating exhibits from local artists that are genuinely impressive.
- Hit the River: If it's summer, you're going to be hot. Stonehenge II offers zero shade. The Guadalupe River is right behind the property. Go jump in.
Most visitors spend about 30 to 45 minutes at the monument. If you’re a photographer, you’ll want longer. The "golden hour" here is spectacular. Because the site is flat and open, the light hits the structures directly, creating deep textures that look incredible on camera.
The Logistics: Getting to Ingram
Ingram is located on Highway 39. If you’re coming from Austin, it’s about a two-hour drive. From San Antonio, it’s roughly an hour.
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Parking is easy and free. There’s a small gravel lot right next to the site. If the lot is full, you can usually find space near the theater entrance.
One thing to keep in mind: this is a community space. You’ll see families having picnics, people walking their dogs, and occasionally a wedding or a theater rehearsal. Be respectful. The Hill Country Arts Foundation works hard to keep this site free for the public, so don't be the person who climbs on top of the stones or leaves trash behind.
The Weather Factor
Texas weather is a fickle beast. In the summer, the temperature regularly hits 100 degrees. The stones themselves don't provide much relief, and the reflection off the grass can be intense. Bring water. Wear a hat. If you can, visit in the spring or fall. The wildflowers around the monument in April are breathtaking, and the humidity won't melt your soul.
Why This Matters in 2026
We live in a world that is increasingly digital and polished. Everything is curated. Everything is optimized. Stonehenge II at the Hill Country Arts Foundation represents the opposite of that. It’s weird. It’s analog. It’s the result of two guys who had a weird idea and actually followed through with it.
It’s a reminder that art doesn't have to be in a museum to be valid. It doesn't have to be "important" to be meaningful. Sometimes, a monument to nothing in the middle of a Texas field is exactly what we need to snap out of our routine.
It’s also a testament to community. When the monument was threatened, the people of the Hill Country stepped up. They didn't let a piece of their local culture get bulldozed. They moved it, piece by piece, to ensure it stayed part of the landscape.
Practical Tips for Your Trip
- Admission: $0. (Though donations to the Hill Country Arts Foundation are always a good move).
- Accessibility: The ground is mostly flat grass. It’s generally wheelchair and stroller-friendly, though it can get muddy after a rain.
- Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed on leashes. Clean up after them.
- Nearby Eats: Stop by the Lakehouse Riverfront for a burger after your visit. It’s right down the road and has a great view of the water.
If you’re looking for a deep, spiritual connection to the cosmos... well, you might find it here, or you might just find some cool-looking concrete. Either way, it’s a better use of a Saturday than sitting on your couch.
Texas has plenty of landmarks, from the Alamo to Big Bend. But Stonehenge II is different. It’s quirky, it’s resilient, and it’s quintessentially Texan. It’s a place where the ancient world meets a modern sense of humor, and it’s sitting right there in Ingram waiting for you to pull over and take a look.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Event Calendar: Before you go, visit the Hill Country Arts Foundation website to see if there’s a play running at the Point Theatre. Catching a show after seeing the stones makes for a perfect day trip.
- Plan for Sun Protection: There is almost no shade at the monument itself. Pack a high-SPF sunscreen and an umbrella if you plan on staying for more than 20 minutes during midday.
- Download Offline Maps: Cell service can be spotty once you get deeper into the Hill Country. Download the area on Google Maps before you leave Kerrville or Fredericksburg to ensure you don't miss the turn-off for Highway 39.
- Support Local Art: Bring a few dollars for the donation box located near the entrance of the Stonehenge site. These funds directly support the maintenance of the monument and the HCAF’s educational programs.