fred smith's wisconsin concrete park

Holy smokes! Fred Smith was clearly a unique spirit in rural Wisconsin. If you get near this place, stop by. What a piece of American. I do, however, recommend summer (we went in early March - which is okay as long as you have boots).

Fred Smith couldn't read or write, but managed, over many years, to create concrete figures of horses, people, and even the Budweiser wagon. The figures are not "professional" by any means, but it's interesting to walk through the park and observe. The gift shop has information on Fred and his life. You have to give him credit for all the time spent on his hobby.

Be sure to read Fred Smith's biography posted on the board outside the gift shop. It tells how he had a stroke and his kin put him in the closet while waiting for the coroner to come. When the coroner examined Fred, he wasn't dead, spoke up, recovered, and lived several more years.The broken glass protruding from the statues of people and horses seemed an accident waiting to happen; we with lots of small children. The statues of bears and cats had just smooth bottle bottoms that were less lethal looking.The horses had a friendly expression, but the concrete people's eyes reminded me of the fake heads created by the men who escaped from Alcatraz. Some of the historical facts stated on placards by various statues seemed inaccurate. I enjoyed the park more by just letting those things go.The Christmas themed earrings in the gift shop for $5 were a really good find.

We stayed near Phillips on Lake Soo. While researching the Phillips area prior to our vacation I stumbled upon this park and thought it might be a nice thing to pass an hour or two. We drove past it on Hwy 13 on our first day in and I pointed it out to my wife. She was actually dreading going there, writing it off as another copy cat road side park with historical markers to read, etc... Finally on our last day there we stopped and visited. WOW were we surprised. ALL of the pieces there were created by one man, Fred Smith, from concrete and recycled materials. The story of Fred and his life were enough to keep you interested, but the art itself was icing on the cake. We had our two daughters (ages 5 and 7) and they loved it! They liked picking their favorite statues and running in and out of the displays in the open park. Nice setting amongst tall pines and secluded timbers. The best part is that none of the statues are exactly alike. You can see the love and attention that went in to each piece. Call it fanatical, call it obsessive, call it art, call it what you will; but the passion and dedication that went in to this project speaks volumes! Just a heads up; the museum/shop and historic family home closes at 4PM. We got there after it closed but the park still remains open to view. The site is free but there is a suggested donation.

Located just south of town on Hwy 13, Free but they accept donations, The pieces are worth seeing, most need minor touchups (donations accepted), but overall he did amazing work but with time the glass is falling off some parts of the figures, kids would like this area, plenty of parking, take pictures, bring bug spray. I would stop in with the family to see this.

Amazing folk art. Reminded me of the Watts Towers in Los Angeles. I wonder if Mr. Smith was aware of that art when he conceived of these pieces. This takes a minimum amount of time to view. Right on Wisconsin Highway 13 just on the south edge of Phillips.As an aside, we stayed at the Super 8 and found the accommodations to be just fine but a limited breakfast selection. But you get what you pay for. It still was a bargain.

Made the drive to Phillips Wisconsin to visit The Fred Smith Concrete Museum yet again. As always a wonderful place to see. This self taught artist produced over 200 concrete figures embellished with broken glass and is worth the trip to see.Don't stay at the Super 8 in town, very minimal accommodations and if you're a picky eater bring a picnic basket.

Fred Smith was my great grandfather. He started creating these statues in his mid- 60s & finished over 230 of them. It's a great little park...stop in and check out some true Wisconsin folk art created by an old lumberjack & tavern owner who made these as a hobby and to just pass time :)

We thought this would be fun and silly wayside stop and with little to go on but a little pamphlit with a black and white grainy picture, we added it to our itinerary for a stop on the way home. It is fun,.. but it is a moving experience as well. The passion and artistic expression poured into these monuments is very complex. The size and multitude of these expressive sculptures each individually and thoughtfully created feels decidedly purposeful beyond the topic itself. Far more than a cornball funny wayside,and beyond simple folk art. I cant image anyone walking away without being moved in a very positive way by the experience. Well worth it!! Worst website on earth - the gift shop should sell mini concrete sculptures - but they sell the most random items completely unrelated. (?)

Complex but primitive concrete sculptures. But, this is a unreal experience. Hundreds of sculptures in a couple acres. People, animals, plaques and other items all made of concrete and decorated with broken glass. Quite fascinating, a have to see if you're going by.

Just a fun place to visit. Certainly unusual. I just liked it and the fact that I could roam around and take pictures.

You really need to stop at this gem of a park! A great break to stretch your legs and feast your eyes. The artist has such vision with the mixed medium of concrete, whole and broken bottles, insulators, antler and rock.Free admission, free parking and clean bathrooms.

Drive through the town of Phillips, WI, and there it is. The huge concrete statues wait for you. Human and animal forms touch on American history (Sacajawea, the Lincoln's, the Statue of Liberty, the lumbering industry in early Wisconsin), the outdoors, everyday life (a farm woman milks a cow, a double wedding party rides a carriage and celebrates), even the beer industry ( a huge representation of the Budweiser Clydesdales complete with beer wagon and Dalmatian). Fred Smith left his mark on Wisconsin with this display of folk art that seems to go on forever. I didn't appreciate it for the art so much as for the determination and hours of work that Mr. Smith spent on his eclectic creations.

This is a real roadside slice of Americana -- and you probably will never have seen anything like it in your life! The many life-sized (and larger) figures are concentrated in a small area, creating the image of a concrete army. The figures are elaborately decorated with glass and all sorts of things and are very detailed. They are lovingly maintained by "the friends of Fred Smith" and donations are appreciated. Unfortunately, the museum was closed (we were there around 6pm) but I'll bet it would have been very interesting and help explain a lot about the man behind these creations -- Fred Smith. You can view these figures from dawn til dusk, but I think the museum closes at 4pm. Bring bug spray -- the mosquitoes were quite happy to see us!NOTE: This can be a dangerous place for little ones because of all the glass shards, so keep your children under control.

Once, you should go. Twice you will decline. The impulse to create with ferro-cement and broken glass, worn out parts and left over bones is a monument to obsession. The same things which make men fanatical often make them compulsively productive. The definition of Art is met: it is memorable and lives beyond its maker. To say it is unforgettable is to have visited Fred Smith's monumental collection.