"Arcola is also known for housing the world's only Hippie Memorial, created by the late Bob Moomaw. Bob worked as a railroad clerk and tax assessor, but did not like either job," the Official Website of Arcola, Illinois, says.

"As an eccentric, independent artist with strong beliefs, he was able to give voice to his feelings, passions and opinions through his art and the writing on the sides of his buildings.

"He created the 62 feet-long artwork starting in 1992 to say something about his life and the era during which he lived. A nearby marker gives an interpretation of his work. The monument is located next door to the historic Illinois Central Arcola Train Depot."

"The city of Arcola, Illinois sits near Amish country, and could generously be described as conservative. So when local railroad worker, Bob Moomaw began creating his personal ode to hippies, using welded and painted junk, it raised a few eyebrows," the Atlas Obscura says.

"Moomaw wanted to honor the hippie culture that he credited with allowing the everyday American to be free in their thoughts and actions. To this end, he created a large wall out of metal bars and other junk that he painted to look more colorful. The monument as it stands today was actually started in 1992. Moomaw would work on the cacophonous piece until his death in 1998. 

"The monument was also built to act as a sort of symbolic timeline, with a shorter portion of the wall on either side. On one side this represents Moomaw’s youth and growing up, eventually rising to the pinnacle of the work, which symbolizes the heyday of the hippies. The work, once again slopes into a shorter section which represents the decline of the culture into the modern day. Each foot of the 62-foot-long memorial is said to represent one year in Moomaw’s life."

"Created by the late Bob Moomaw. Bob worked as a railroad clerk and tax assessor, but did not like either job. As an eccentric, independent artist with strong beliefs, he was able to give voice to his feelings, passions, and opinions through his art and the writing on the sides of buildings," the Enjoy Illinois says.

"He created the 62-foot-long artwork starting in 1992 to say something about his life and the era during which he lived. A nearby marker gives an interpretation of his work."

"Bob said there have been sculptures built on more ridiculous concepts than my life--this is not ridiculous--this is my life: a Hell of a mess. Why a memorial to hippies? He said they changed our society for the good. Because of them, he didn't have to conform anymore. the sculpture represents his life--mounted atop a wall. Made of iron rods, junk parts and crafted metal," The Historical Marker Database says.

"The short portion on the left is the first 26 years of his life: which included the depression, World War II, the "RED" scare and the hypocrisies of the 1950's. He said it was like living in a coal mine with a 3 ft. ceiling; The tallest man he ever met was 3 ft. tall. Society forced people to stoop.

"The memorial rises to 6 ft. representing the 1960's to the 1980's when the hippies hit and raised the ceiling off everything! Everyone got up to stand up against oppression and repression Bob said it was like growing up! They broke free from small town morality during the "Kennedy Camelot” and the "Hippie Movement". The metal shapes are brightly colored, showing love and peace symbol and -- individuality!"

"Forget about San Francisco or Woodstock or wherever it is hippies live nowadays. Arcola is the home of Moomaw America’s One and Only Hippie Memorial. Although I live in the state of Illinois, going south of Chicago is too far south for me so I don’t think I’ll ever get to Arcola (especially since the town’s Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum closed, but who knows?)," the This Belongs in a Museum  says.

"The creator of this artwork, Bob Moomaw, who lived and worked in Arcola all his life, was known as the town eccentric. He sometimes painted messages on the side of buildings like “America you’re turning into a nation of minimum-wage hamburger flippers. Rebel.

"The artwork is 62 feet long, with each foot representing one year of his life. The first 26 feet include The Great Depression, World War II and what Moomaw calls “1950s hypocrisy”, then the middle section becomes more colorful, representing the Kennedy years and the hippies. Moomaw liked their influence on freedom of expression and dissent. The last 18 feet is just plain rusted scrap showing the small mindedness of the 1980s with the election of Illinois native Ronald Reagan, whom Moomaw strongly disliked."

"Who would have ever expected to find a hippie memorial in downtown Arcola? This Midwestern town is where Raggedy Ann and Andy came to life and is located near Amish farms and is home of the Broom Corn Festival," the Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl says.

"I don’t know that I can say that the memorial is a pretty piece of art, it is just different. This one-of-a-kind memorial was built by Bob Moomaw and each foot represents a year of his life. The first few feet include the Great Depression and World War II along with 1950’s. The next section represents the Kennedy years and the hippie’s influence on American society.

"Along with the memorial is a printed speech by Bob Moomaw’s wife Sharon that describes her husband and his art. “Was Bob Moomaw a hippie? NO. He did have a beard and a ponytail while attending the university. He was THERE at the same TIME and PLACE as the hippies, but he was raising his children, then ..to his shame, he was no hippie.”

"Make sure to grab a guide to our historic murals at the Tourist Information Center. There are 17 murals painted in and around the downtown that tell a number of our community's great stories including Arcola native, Johnny Gruelle, and his famed Raggedy Doll or learn how Arcola businessmen conspired to win a football game by hiring college athletes to beat the Decatur Staleys, which would eventually become the Chicago Bears," the Official Website of Arcola, Illinois, says.

"If it’s Amish furniture you’re after, you’ll have plenty of options at various Amish furniture dealers in Arcola. Bring the family and spend the day at Aikman Wildlife Adventures where you can see exotic animals up close in the only drive thru park. You can also visit their walk-thru park, petting zoo and visit the recently expanded Museum of Prehistoric Life.

"Stopover to the Carnegie Library, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and observe the classic revival architectural details. Bring your bicycle and ride through the countryside to take in the country air, miles of farm scenery, and view diverse farming styles and techniques for planting and harvesting and Amish farms.

"Arcola Depot and Welcome Center is a restored Historic Train Depot, built in 1885. Its museum displays railroad memorabilia, Raggedy Ann doll collection and the Louis Klein Collection of antique brooms and brushes in the United States, along with other interesting Arcola relics and keepsakes. Tourist information is also available as the Arcola Chamber of Commerce is also housed at this site."

"Arcola is a city in Douglas County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,927 at the 2020 census. The city was founded in 1855, when the Illinois Central Railroad was built through the county. The railroad itself was responsible for surveying, platting and founding the town.

"Arcola is also known for housing the world's only Hippie Memorial, created by Bob Moomaw, who died in 1998. He worked as a railroad clerk and tax assessor, but did not like either job. As an eccentric, independent artist with strong beliefs, he was able to give voice to his feelings, passions and opinions through his art and the writing on the sides of his buildings.

"He created the 62-foot-long artwork starting in 1992 to say something about his life and the era during which he lived. A nearby marker gives an interpretation of his work."  (Wikipedia)

"History and art come together in the most unexpected way in the most unexpected place. A shrine to 1960s and 1970s pop culture and politics sits in Illinois’ largest Amish community serving as both a memorial and a time capsule," the Only In Your State says.



"Currently located in downtown Arcola, Moomaw America's One & Only Hippie Memorial celebrates the culture of the 1960s while showing disdain for Ronald Reagan and the 1980s.

"It was originally created by Bob Moomaw, who started the project in 1992 and worked on it up until his passing in 1998. Once on his own property, the memorial was relocated and dedicated in 1999 during a Hippie Festival."

"Arcola is home to the only HIppie Memorial in the world. The memorial was created by Bob Moomaw, who died in 1998. He worked as a railroad clerk and tax assessor but did not like either job," the 97 ZOK Radio says.



"As an eccentric, independent artist with strong beliefs, he was able to give voice to his feelings, passions, and opinions through his art. He created the 62-foot-long artwork you can see below starting in 1992 to say something about his life and the era during which he lived, according to Wiki."