Carhenge continues to attract the attention of people throughout the world as it solidifies its stature as a site for all to see. Two recent visitors to Carhenge show just how famous the site truly is.
On July 6, actor Ashton Kutcher shared a photo on Instagram of his and his spouse’s, actress Mila Kunis, visit to Carhenge. The photo was captioned, “Found the original vista cruiser,” a reference to the iconic vehicle featured in the TV series, “That ‘70s Show,” which both actors starred in.
Kaytlin Norris, Executive Administrative Assistant/Tourism for the City of Alliance, said she is grateful for their visit to Carhenge.
“We’re thrilled that they stopped and visited Carhenge,” said Norris. “We know that Carhenge is great, so we’re glad that somebody of such stature would also see that and make the time to make that stop.”
Norris explained that she was surprised when she saw the photo of Kunis and Kutcher at Carhenge.
“I had to kind of double take and make sure it wasn’t false because I saw it on e-news,” Norris said. “I went through and made sure it was in fact Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis that came, and sure enough, it was real. It was definitely something unexpected, but very welcome, and we’re so happy that they were able to visit.”
Carhenge was also recently recognized with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for the third year in a row. Norris explained that the award is the result of positive reviews from visitors at Carhenge.
“We didn’t apply for it, or anything,” said Norris. “We just happened to have the best reviews and got the award. We’re ecstatic that we have received it, and we hope to continue to receive awards like this in the future. We thank the community members and our visitors for leaving us such great reviews.”
Norris hopes that between the visit from Kunis and Kutcher, and Carhenge’s receipt of the Travelers’ Choice Award for the third year in a row, that Carhenge will continue to gain notoriety and attract more people to see the attraction.
“I think just having all of the visitors who come each year helps bring awareness to Carhenge,” Norris said. “We hope that it continues to be on the rise, and we hope that people make the stop.”
Recently, the City of Alliance issued a proclamation declaring June 22, 2022 as Jim Reinders Day. Reinders created Carhenge in 1987. Norris explained that a memorial service was hosted at Carhenge, with the proclamation being presented to Reinders’ family members.
Jim Reinders passed away on Oct. 16 at his home in Houston, Texas. Reinders, an Alliance native, was born Sept. 20, 1927 in Alliance to Herman and Kay Tickner Reinders. He graduated from Alliance High School in 1944 and joined the U.S. Navy, where he served in the South Pacific. After being honorably discharged in 1946, Reinders enrolled at the University of Nebraska. He graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
Reinders worked in the oil industry for 33 years. Throughout his career, Reinders visited 30 countries and several states. From 1976 to 1981, Reinders resided in London, serving as Technical Manager Europe.
In 1987, Reinders and his family began constructing Carhenge during a family reunion to serve as a memorial to his father, who passed away in 1982.
Carhenge is a replica of Stonehenge, which is located approximately 80 miles south of London. Reinders told the Alliance Times-Herald in 1987 that he chose to use cars to replicate Stonehenge for a specific reason.
“Cars are more available in this area and they are shaped similar to the stones in England,” Reinders said.
Carhenge is located north of Alliance on Highway 87, where Reinders’ father farmed. The second phase of the Carhenge build was completed in 1988. Reinders told the Alliance Times-Herald at the time that he had spent approximately $10,000 on the project.
Reinders donated the monument to Friends of Carhenge, which donated the site to Alliance’s citizens in 2013. Since then, the site has been maintained by the city of Alliance.
The Proclamation declaring June 22, 2022 as Jim Reinders Day highlights the impact of Carhenge on tourism to Alliance, noting that more that 100,000 people visit the site every year, and that, “Carhenge has become a recognized landmark throughout the world.”
The Proclamation honors Reinders as a source of inspiration to others, noting, “Jim Reinders continues to inspire many other artists to seek their creative dreams by exemplifying vision and determination despite any resistance to change or the indifference of the doubtful.”