Traveling through the Pacific Northwest often leads to encounters with unique roadside attractions, but few are as enigmatic as Gospodor Monument Park, located near Toledo, Washington.
As drivers cruise along Interstate 5 at speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour, they may catch a fleeting glimpse of three towering statues, each adorned with peculiar cage-like features at their peaks.
For many, this quick sighting prompts questions: What do these statues represent, and how did they become fixtures along one of Washington’s busiest highways?
Dominic Gospodor, a wealthy real estate mogul and World War II veteran, established Gospodor Monument Park in 2002 as a tribute to historical figures he felt deserved more recognition.
Among those figures memorialized are Mother Teresa, the victims of the Holocaust, and the prominent Indigenous leader Chief Seattle.
Gospodor dedicated nearly a million dollars to the project, which he envisioned as a way to immortalize these figures’ contributions to history.
The statues stand in a neat row against a backdrop of tall grasses and pine forests, with the tallest statue representing Mother Teresa at the center, originally topped by a gold-painted figure of Jesus.
To the left, a statue features a large diamond-cage design to honor Holocaust victims, while the statue on the right, complete with a weathervane, celebrates Chief Seattle and Indigenous peoples of America.
However, despite Gospodor’s lofty intentions, the park has sparked considerable debate since its inception.
Some critics argue that the park’s sculptures lack aesthetic appeal, deeming them “ugly,” and contend that the funds spent on creating statues could have been better allocated to charitable causes.
Moreover, practical concerns have emerged regarding the statues’ positions near the highway.
The visibility of the sculptures has led to traffic incidents caused by rubbernecking, as drivers slow down to catch a closer look, inadvertently risking rear-end collisions with speeding vehicles.
As Gospodor passed away in 2010, his vision for expanding the park became unfulfilled.
The land was subsequently acquired by the Cowlitz Tribe, a local Indigenous group determined to preserve the statues, although they lack sufficient funds for proper maintenance.
Furthermore, the infrastructure of the statues poses a significant challenge.
Constructed from steel—which is prone to corrosion—and hemlock, a wood that deteriorates rapidly, the statues were also built on soft ground, leading to concerns about their longevity.
As a result, Gospodor Monument Park will be closed to the public in 2025.
As it currently stands, the entire park area is locked up, limiting public access to any closer views of the statues.
For those wishing to glimpse the monument from the road, the opportunity is limited to a quick drive-by viewing, making it a true roadside attraction.
Stopping alongside the highway to observe the statues poses legal risks as well, with reports indicating that law enforcement may issue tickets for non-emergency roadside stops.
But fear not, as Washington state is home to a variety of alternative quirky attractions for those seeking unique experiences during their travels.
The Fremont Troll in Seattle, a massive sculpture of a troll gripping a car beneath a bridge, is a beloved treasure among residents and tourists alike.
Meanwhile, Dick and Jane’s Spot in Ellensburg offers visitors a whimsical collection of ever-changing art created by local artists, created as an open-air gallery for pedestrians.
Additionally, a piece of history from Gospodor Monument Park lives on.
The Cowlitz Tribe donated one of the smaller commemorative statues, a glass-encased eagle, to the city of Toledo.
Today, visitors can find it proudly displayed between Second Avenue and Cowlitz Street in Toledo—a small but significant remnant of Gospodor’s ambitious dream.
Although access to the monumental park may be limited, Gospodor Monument Park provides a fascinating story that continues to captivate those who catch a glimpse of its unusual statues while driving along I-5.
image source from：thetravel
