Mystical Monsters and Rusty Red Ravens

Once upon a Sunday, fair, a hint of autumn in the air,
I came upon a place of wonder, sheltered from all prying eyes.
This place was guarded by a raven, tall as I in all his splendor.
The fearful bird was made of iron, rusting red and statuesque

“Tell me what the simple name is - of this place you guard the best”,
Quote the Raven,

“Evermore......”

An enjoyable day trip from Madison took us to the land of Mystical Monsters and Rusty Red Ravens. Prompted by a news flash on the local TV, Irene and I set out. I checked the internet first to find the correct location.

On the west side of Hwy 12 in the vicinity of the Badger Ordinance are huge sculptures of birds and monsters, standing 20 feet tall or more, all made out of scrap iron from a junk yard welded together and painted in whimsical colors. We had arrived at Delaney’s Salvage yard. I have been to Delaney’s many times. It is fun just going through their store and seeing what they have. It sure seems that if they don’t have it, you don’t need it.

The newscast showed pictures of “Evermore Sculpture Park” and scores of magnificent pieces of art. How could a park that large be hidden from view? “It’s out in back through the junk yard.” quipped a young employee.





A short walk through the junkyard brought us to the park. It was a place right out of a fairy tale. In the middle was the “Forevertron” a grand machine weighing over 300 tons, standing over 50 feet tall. It was designed to transport Dr. Evermor back into the heavens on a magnetic force beam.






















Everywhere we looked were birds, insects, alligators and whatever, all made out of scrap iron. Some were only a foot tall and others were 10-15 feet tall. Under a tree was a frog band.

Over in the gazebo sat a large man who I recognized from the TV news as the creator of the park. I walked over to meet Tom Every or “Dr. Evermor” as he calls himself now. A few days earlier he had celebrated his 70th birthday.

Dr. Evermor said he would normally be sitting under the tree with the frog band, while he worked with his welder, but he was taking time off to visit with people who may have seen the new cast. He was charming in every way and I left wondering if the wheel chair he was sitting in was something he was going to turn into a work or art, or if he was confined to the wheel chair.