Historic rock garden to be restored

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) - A Wisconsin foundation plans to restore glory to one of the strangest roadside attractions in the Miami Valley.

It's located off the beaten path in Springfield, and even in it's decaying state, Hartman's Rock Garden is a breathtaking site according to visitors.

Almost a quarter million little stones went into the labor of love, created as a hobby, by a man out of work during the Depression era. But visitors said the site was hardly depressing.

"We were heading south and I turned around and said 'oh my gosh kids we gotta turn around and get a look at the rock garden. You've never seen it before,'" said Connie Grim, who brought her two grandchildren.

In amazing detail, the late H.G. Hartman built a replica of Philadelphia's Independence House, the White House, and a castle with a drawbridge and moat, all made out of 14,000 stones.

For decades the quirky little rock garden has brought residents and tourists to the intersection of Russell and McCain streets on the southwest corner of Springfield.

Springfield resident Robert Hemry first saw the rock garden in it's glory days back in the 1930s.

"It's just like part of your life is gone, I'm sorry to see it this way," said Hemry.

Hemry was thrilled to hear the Kohler Foundation, a Wisconsin-based group that specialized in saving environmental projects created by self taught artists, was purchasing the property to restore.

"It's part of Springfield, because of that it should be preserved," said Hemry.

"I think it's a good idea to do," said Grimm in agreement. "There's so much that's lost in communities anymore. This would be an awesome place to restore."

H.G. Hartman's grandchildren, who now live in Indiana, sold the property to the Kohler Foundation. Work to restore the rock garden is expected to begin in May

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