How a threat from Shawnee County led to an art farm known as Truckhenge

A judge in 2002 ordered Ron Lessman to remove various junk vehicles, most of them trucks, from his farm just east of Topeka.

That order was issued after Shawnee County sued Lessman, contending any flooding of the nearby Kansas River might endanger public safety and health by sweeping those vehicles downstream.

Lessman replied by making those vehicles the centerpiece of a quirky, grassroots art park called Truckhenge Farm, which humorously pays homage to England's Stonehenge.

He cemented one end of each vehicle into the ground, leaving the other end sticking upward at an angle, then decorated them with political and social graffiti, including the phrase "Rise Up" spray painted on one truck.

"The county told me to pick them up, so I picked them up," Lessman recently told The Capital-Journal.

Former legal adversary: Lessman 'adds vibrancy to our county'

Truckhenge was born from conflict but raised amid humor and creativity, according to Lessman.

Over the years, he added features that included peacocks, metal sculptures, Boathenge — like Truckhenge, but with boats — and Beer Bottle City, which features hundreds of beer bottles that "talk" when it's windy out.

Lessman said attendance at Truckhenge has been about 3,500 a year over the past five or 10 years, and business doesn't slow down much during the cold-weather months.

Those who are happy for Lessman include Shawnee County Counselor Rich Eckert, who sued Lessman on the county's behalf more than two decades ago.

"His solution was to stabilize the vehicles by anchoring them in concrete," Eckert recalled this past week. "While unconventional, this plan effectively addressed our concerns, and we accepted it."

Eckert added: "Although our initial interactions were through litigation, Mr. Lessman has become one of my favorite citizens of Shawnee County. His presence adds vibrancy to our county, and I wish him nothing but the best."

Most Truckhenge reviews have been positive

"Fun," "cool" and "unique" are among words used to describe Truckhenge in reviews posted on its Facebook page , where 84% have been positive.

Lessman’s great-grandparents, Gustav and Emma Lessman, began farming the property in 1879, he said.

Truckhenge visitors have included "Star Trek" icon William Shatner, who came during a 2015 motorcycle ride for charity.

The cast of the TLC Network reality TV show "Sister Wives" visited Truckhenge in 2012.

"They all laughed at my stuff," Lessman recalled.

Ron Lessman speaks quickly, humorously

Lessman gave The Capital-Journal a tour of Truckhenge accompanied by his dog, a male, mixed-breed named Pooch.

"I have a little trouble talking because I had a bunch of teeth pulled last week," Lessman said.

One of four peacocks that live at Truckhenge strutted nearby as Lessman kicked off a tour of the art park, located at the end of a dead-end at 4124 N.E. Brier Road.

Lessman spoke quickly and often humorously, including telling how he came to own his dog.

"We got him to babysit for two days," he said. "That was 10 years ago."

Displays include chainsaw art and the 'biggest ball of Christmas lights'

Lessman showed The Capital-Journal the interior of the Quonset hut where he and his wife, Linda, live.

It includes a forklift that he turned into an elevator.

The tour also highlighted Truckhenge's various artworks, located in the area of his home and along the dirt road that passes through his property. Lessman created most of them personally.

Six trucks and three cars could be seen cemented into the ground along that road.

Lessman encourages people to bring cans of spray paint and paint on them, he said.

Lessman's artworks also include paintings on bedsheets, wooden sculptures created using a chainsaw and what he calls "the world's biggest ball of Christmas lights."

He said he creates art using "stuff other people throw away."

Lessman also showed off various rocks and fossils present on his property.

He talked during the tour about how he questions authority, cares about the environment and likes to put smiles on people's faces.

Lessman said it makes him happy to hear visitors compare Truckhenge with other displays featuring vehicles as art, including " Carhenge ," located just north of Alliance, Nebraska, and the " Cadillac Ranch ," near Amarillo, Texas.

How much does it cost to tour Truckhenge?

Truckhenge encompasses about 63 acres, with a fishing pond taking up about 30 of those, Lessman said.

The Lessmans don't charge for tours of Truckhenge but accept donations. They do ask visitors for notice by calling 785-234-3486 or emailing truckhenge@hotmail.com

Truckhenge does charge for camping, attendance at outdoor events held there and the use of a landfill, fishing lake and shooting range it maintains. Further details are available on its website .

Truckhenge's landfill recycles rock, dirt, concrete, brick, brush and lawn clippings, Lessman said.

Truckhenge hosted 1,200 people last year for an outdoor event that featured performances by rock and roll bands, he said.

No license is required to fish in Truckhenge's pond, which Lessman said is "clean and clear."

The pond offers bass, bluegill, crappie, perch, blue catfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish, Lessman said.

Responsible use of alcohol is allowed for those fishing at the pond, but glass bottles aren't, he said.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: How a threat from Shawnee County led to an art farm known as Truckhenge