Monument similar to Stonehenge sits near Patton, Mo., farm

PATTON, Mo.

It may no longer be necessary to travel to Europe in order to see Stonehenge: One area family can boast of "The Circle," a monument reminiscent of the prehistoric English site.

For Steve Wagoner, the architect of The Circle, constructing monuments has always been one of his fascinations. As a child, he admits to always liking to stack rocks and has built many monuments.

"My thinking has always been a little left of center. I have always had a fascination for the Earth and earth art." Wagoner said.

The Circle, situated on Wagoner's 50-acre farm, rests upon the crest of a hill near Patton. Twelve Gasconade dolomite stones form the henge. Wagoner said the stones, representing the twelve months of the year, could also symbolize many other things, such as the 12 tribes of Israel or the 12 disciples. He said that throughout history, this number has been significant.

Wagoner's brother-in-law, as well as many others, has asked why he built The Circle. Wagoner said that it was a sort of "therapy." Wagoner's brother-in-law said that he must have needed a great deal of therapy.

For the Wagoner family and their friends, The Circle is a place for solitude and meditation. Steve and his wife, Alice Wagoner, attempt to visit the monument at least once a day.

Steve Wagoner has always loved rocks. Years ago, he carved this one that sits in the middle of his 12-stone monument at his farm near Patton.

"It is especially beautiful at night because there is nothing to obstruct your view of the stars." Alice said.

"It is a sort of metaphysical park, a place to reconnect with nature and get away from all of the monkey chatter," Steve Wagoner said.

In February of this year, the Wagoners' daughter was married at The Circle. According to Alice, Steve was pleased when their daughter chose the location.

Nearly every member of the family participated in the setting of the stones, with the exception of one daughter. Steve Wagoner was the only one who was present for the placing of every stone. During construction, only one stone was damaged. Even the oldest grandson, who was 11 at the time, helped place the stones.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com "The Cirle" took the Wagoners three years to build on their farm near Patton. The stones range from eight feet to 13 feet in height and one weighs seven tons.

The center of the henge is astronomically aligned to mark the rising and setting of the sun and the summer solstice and winter solstice. The smallest stone, which is more than 8 feet tall, weighs about 1,000 pounds. The largest stone weighs 7 tons.

When Alice and Steve moved to the Patton area in 2000, Steve Wagoner, who was a retired mine safety engineer, began searching his farm for the ideal location. In what he describes as a sort of epiphany, he knew exactly he where was going to place it. After three years, the Wagoners completed construction.

"After walking around one night, I said this is the place," he said.

The Wagoners wished to create something that would be lasting beyond their lifetime: a monument that people might enjoy.

Wagoner's next project, which is in the works, is a labyrinth.