Featured Writer: Melissa Laundre
These Cadillacs are part of a roadside art attraction on The Mother Road, Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas.
In 1974, a group of wayward hippies teamed up with a wealthy businessman, Stanley Marsh III. The San Fransisco-based hippies called themselves Ant Farm. Mr. Marsh wanted a piece of public art that would both confuse and entertain the locals. Well done, fellas. This is just about as confusing as it gets. But it looks cool…
Ten Cadillacs were driven in the dirt and half-buried, nose-down so as to show off the famous tail fin of the Cadillacs. Supposedly, the Caddys were even buried at the same angle as the Great Pyramid of Giza. Not sure what, if anything, that means but I thought I’d pass it along.
People started stopping along the way to walk out and view the cars. Some actually would rip off pieces of the Caddys for souvenirs. Others, would “vandalize” the art exhibit by spray painting it.
And so the rest is history.
Visitors are now encouraged to park along the access road and walk out into the cow pasture to spray paint their own masterpiece on these cars.
If you do make the trip, don’t be shy. Bring some spray paint or just pick up one of the hundred cans lying near the cars and start your graffiti experience. Make sure you bring a camera though because Cadillac Ranch receives hundreds of visitors each day and it only takes a few hours before someone has already painted over your display.
If you go, remember, it’s free! Also, remember that you will be walking into a cow pasture; shoes or boots are essential, especially after a rain. 🙂
Directions: Just west of the Amarillo city line. I-40 exit 60. Drive south to the frontage road (old Route 66), then turn left. Drive east one mile. Cadillac Ranch will be on the right (south) side; just park your car along the shoulder and enter the pasture through an unlocked gate. Visitors are encouraged; dog friendly.
Read more from this author at: http://mountainmissy.wordpress.com/
Check out Bucket List Publications Online Magazine for more great photos and articles from bucket list seekers.
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Heard about this somewhere but didn’t know how to look it up… thanks to you, now I know how to get there 🙂
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Nice post. Very informative.
Art is not art until it finds expression.
This is a unique way to vent out one’s creative juices.
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Amazing! A little bit of magic…
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Awesome stuff. I’ve seen this place in same movie. Thanks for sharing.
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Fascinating information – and great pics!
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Fun!
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This old cars definitely make for an interesting, and versatile (with the ever changing graffiti) landscape.
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as fascinated as I was with the cadi photos…mountain missy…is a true character…after reading a few of her blogs…how fun! ~mkg
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Such a wonderful work! Route 66 has so many magical pieces of Americana and art. I have a couple of route 66 images i will be posting as a complement to this article. I am so glad i am following you guys, great work!
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I’ve never herd of this – fascinating!
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‘herd’… was that a pun? 🙂
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lol – no – a typo – brain moving faster than the fingers!
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cow pasture + herd = funny 🙂
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These are cool, but I think the “aeroplane” art (I think it’s in Nevada?) is a bit more creative.
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The airplane junkyard in Texas is rather spooky, it’s a graveyard or aviation history… this is art!
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These Caddies are definitely a part of life in the area. While in Texas Tech Pharmacy School (located in Amarillo away from the Lubbock campus), members of the Phi Delta Chi pharmacy fraternity frequently haze littles by getting them drunk and making them stand around the Caddies for hours in the middle of the night… don’t ask me how I know…
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Haven’t heard of this before. Looks like it could be fun and good advice on bringing the camera!
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Now I’ve heard of everything!
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What will they think of NEXT?
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Genius! What a potent way to express emotions and creativity! I could use a similar installation in my backyard (actually a back alley) right about now. Thanks for a great post.
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I took my boys to Cadillac Ranch two summers ago, and we had a blast spray painting the cars!
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Looks great. I’ve heard of this place and will definitely visit at some stage. Thanks!
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Hi,
That is incredible, what a very unique idea, they certainly brighten up the paddock. 🙂
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We’ve driven by these a lot. Fun to see. The cross/stations of the cross off of I-40 is another great place to visit.
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This is great. I find it interesting what will intrigue us human beings!!
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That’s very cool.
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Yes ! It’s GREAT !! An American answer to Stonehenge ! I saw it a few years ago when I drove Rt 66 ! In fact I almost missed it , and turned around to go back a few miles. Something I’ll never forget
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I’ll be paasin through Amarillo in a couple of weeks. I’ll check it out!
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Lots of fun! This would make a great road trip. Thanks.
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I saw these years ago! Thanks for bringing back a great memory.
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Delightfully different and very interesting! 🙂
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I would love to see that someday. Not really sure why…but I guess there is something fascinating about cars sticking out of the ground.
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I’ve always wanted to see this in person!
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Love it! I told my husband that when he retires next year, I want Route 66 to be our first road trip – I want about 3 weeks!
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These are awesome…
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Love it! 🙂
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THESE ARE AMAZING!!! I have never seen anything like this. Thank you so much for posting this Melissa and sharing these incredible images with the world. I think I know where I am going on my next road trip!!!
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pure awesomeness!
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I am pleased to see, How people have been painted those old junk cars!
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Wow! All in the name of Installation Art – but how amazing!
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How amazing is this!
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Added to my list of places to see in the good ol’ USA!! 🙂
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Hey. Awarding you the Inspirational Blogger Award. This blog is after all, very inspiring 🙂
Congrats! Pick up award on my page.
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That’s so cool. I would love to graffiti a caddy lol
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I have to visit this place.
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What a fabulously funny and random travel tip!
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I have been through Amarillo many times and did not know about this Cadillac Ranch! This is AWESOME–and carries some very imporant messages about our culture, as well!
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Reblogged this on westsideluxeliving and commented:
Awesome!
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The first time I visited that place was Summer of 1973. It was odd then and it’s still odd.
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This is cool! Thanks for sharing! 😉
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I think this a good technique to convert ductile iron into many shapes or we can make many other things from this . CADI is used to add strength and Resistance to ductile iron parts.
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This information and pic of CADI is really fascinating for CADI lovers.
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