Tom Moran's Northern Michigan Masterpieces
There is that moment on a roadtrip that you realize that you have completely shed any semblance of order and home routine...in my case, makeup (who has time in the morning?), dietary considerations (jalapeno potato chips and coffee are NOT good mid-morning snacks, no matter who says "try these"), and basics like clean clothes and travel mugs.
But I digress.
Today, after having my sneakers tossed into a tree and visiting The Cross in the Woods and Nun Doll Museum (yes...and there is a patron saint of highway travelers,) we made it to Onaway, the home of Moran Iron Works, and owner Tom Moran's incredible welded sculptures that grace many towns in almost upper Michigan.
Tom Moran, Welded Metal Sculptures
Moran Iron Works, Inc.
11739 M-68/33 Hwy.
Onaway, MI 49765
Business man, philanthropist, Tom Moran doesn't consider himself an artist. After seeing his sculptures throughout Northern Michigan, I beg to differ. Since 1989, Tom and his crew from Moran Iron Works create a secret HUGE welded metal sculpture that is revealed at the Onaway Fourth of July Parade. Later, the massive sculptures are placed in various locations around town (and sometimes auctioned off to other townships and businesses)
(the following is from
Name: Who Knows? WE DO! (and we aren't telling)
Year: 2009
Info: Come out and see July 4th, 2009
Location: Onaway Independance Day Parade
Name: Miss Liberty
Year: 2008
Info: Large Scale Bust of Lady Liberty
Location: M-68 Hwy, Onaway MI
Name: Unknown Soldier
Year: 2007
Info: Paying tribute to all soldiers
Location: M-68 Hwy, Onaway
Name: Atlas
Year: 2006
Info: Holding the World made of Tools
Location: G&T Used Truck & Auto Parts, Chesterfield Township, MI
Name: Community Connected Globe
Year: 2005
Info: Showing how we are all connected
Location: Cheboygan Community Hospital, Cheboygan MI
Name: Liberty Torch
Year: 2004
Info: Lady Liberty's Torch
Location: Lakeside Park, Rogers City MI
Name: Stone Indian Head
Year: 2003
Info: Made from Genuine Onaway Stone
Location: Michigan Magazine Museum, Fairview MI
Name: Butterfly
Year: 2002
Info: Butterfly
Location: Charlevoix Library
Name: Toad
Year: 2001
Info: Large Scale Toad
Location: Private Residence, Hubbard Lake MI
Name: Bald Eagle
Year: 2000
Info: Bald Eagle
Location: Jesse Besser Museum, Alpena MI
Name: Moran Minted Silver Coin
Year: 1999
Info: Moran Minted Silver Coin
Location: N/A
Name: George Washington
Year: 1998
Info: Large Scale Bust of our First President
Location: Moran's Field, M-68 Hwy, Onaway MI
Name: Fresh Water Aquarium
Year: 1997
Info: Some Big Aquarium
Location: Black River Marina, Cheboygan
Name: Musket
Year: 1996
Info: Working Large Scale Musket
Location: Yoopers Tourist Trap, Ishpeming MI
Name: Water Pump
Year: 1995
Info: Hand Operated Water Pump
Location: Yoopers Tourist Trap, Ishpeming MI
Name: Big Gus Chainsaw
Year: 1994
Info: Large Chain Saw
Location: Yoopers Tourist Trap, Ishpeming MI
Name: Forge
Year: 1993
Info: Dismantled
Location: N/A
Name: Liberty Bell
Year: 1992
Info: Tribute to United States of America
Location: VFW Hall, Onaway MI
Name: Cantilever Hook
Year: 1991
Info: Tribute to early lumberjacks of Onaway
Location: Cheboygan Fairgrounds
Name: Axe
Year: 1990
Info: Tribute to early lumberjacks of Onaway
Location: Cheboygan Fairgrounds
Name: Log Mover
Year: 1989
Info: Tribute to early Onaway lumberjacks
Location: Onaway Courthouse Lawn
In front of the company's headquarters
Along the shoreline of Lake Huron in Rogers City (yea, I got to see 2 Great Lakes on this trip, so far)
In front of the hospital in Cheboygan
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Cross in the Woods and the Nun Doll Museum
Indian River, Michigan
Shoe Tree
US Highway 131
Kalkaska, Michigan
(be careful of the traffic)
Lake Huron
Rogers City, Michigan
