Ben Hartman’s Historical Rock Garden

-Jokingly-

But >not really< jokingly

I used to move rocks just

To move rocks.

-Honestly-

Not because I wanted to

Rather because

Mom always had a big plan.

-Supposedly-

Certain rocks just looked better

In different places

And in different combination.

I still remember the summer

we had to completely rip up the stone sidewalk

Just to relay the new stone sidewalk

A few inches to the south

I wish I was exaggerating.

.

But this is where it gets weird-

I’m not sure when the shift took place but

With time

I found myself at my own home

Moving rocks, just to move rocks

I can spot a +keeper+ from the cab of a tractor.

And you best believe

We pull over pick it up or dig it out.

And have my own version of Pride Rock started in the barn lot.

And of course a stone sidewalk has been constructed with just the right rocks jigsawed together in just the right order.

I warned my daughter

Who is currently not enthusiastic about rocks

-Beware-

This could be genetic.

.

But absolutely nothing compares to

-This guy-

Ben Hartman

He lost his job during the Great Depression

Came home and started moving rocks

And moving rocks

First creating a rock fish pond

But continuing creating hundreds of rock structures and figurines

With themes of history, religion, patriotism, and popular culture.

-He just kept moving rocks-

To create one of the most amazing backyards you will ever see.

This painting captures just a fraction

You really have to be in it

And surrounded by all of it

To feel it

You may never understand it

But I guarantee

You will go home and move a rock just to move a rock

And say

It just looks better over there.

.

Ben Hartman’s Historical Rock Garden

1905 Russell Avenue

Springfield, Ohio 45506

Open dawn to dusk

Free to visit