There are a number of scuplted figures at Thunder Mountain. Most, if not all, represent Native Americans.
After serving in WWII, Chief Thunder, aka Frank Van Zant, came back a changed man.
He studied theology, but dropped out because of the hypocrisy he saw. He also tried his hand at working as a Deputy Sheriff and a private investigator.
Somewhere during all this he divorced his first wife, got a new wife and started a second family. In what has been described as a middle life crisis, he headed to Northern Neveda and started Thunder Mountain.
Dan Van Zant, Chief Thunders son from his first marriage, stated that, “He had the charismatic personality that could have made him another Jim Jones.” Thunder Mountain became a hangout for hippies and artisans. This odd monument turned into something close to a commune with Chief Thunder as their guru.
Times changed. In the early 70’s the hippies left to re-enter the real world. Thunder Mountain started to fall into disrepair.
I really like this!
I admire anyone who can sculpt something out of stone, wood, etc.