Alliance native and Carhenge designer and builder. Jim Reinders passed away October 16 at his home in Houston. He was 94. Carhenge, located just North of Alliance off Highway 87 was concieved and built during a Reinders family reunion in June of 1987 on land owned by the family.
Carhenge is a replica of England's Stonehenge and consists of 39 automobiles arranged in a circle measuring about 96 feet (29 m) in diameter, formed from vintage American automobiles, covered with gray paint....., the Carhenge site also includes several other artworks created from autos in various shapes and colors..... a visitor center was constructed to serve the site in 2006... Reinders donated the 10-acre site to the Friends of Carhenge. and In 2013 the Friends of Carhenge donated the site to the Citizens of Alliance...the City of then took over the upkeep and maintenance of the site. Throughout it's history Carhenge has appeared in film, popular music, television programs and commercials and is listed in many books and other publications as one of the main tourist attractions in the United States...Carhenge gained more nationwide fame in 2017 during the Solor Eclispe...An estimated 4,000 people, including Jim Reinders and Governor Pete Ricketts, viewed the eclipse from the site. More than 100,000 visitors, from all over the World visit Carhenge each year.
Interment will be alongside his wife at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance. Panhandle Post will have the complete obituary when it is available.