EXCLUSIVE: The Fate Of Spring Arbor, Michigan's Concrete Gorilla

Detroit has the Uniroyal Tire that sits just off I-94. Spring Arbor, Michigan, has a 6-foot-tall, nearly 3,000-pound concrete gorilla on the side of M-60. The now iconic gorilla was 'born' at Arbor Stone, where it first began greeting passersby with its raised right hand around the year 2000.

Though it disappeared for nearly a decade, it returned in 2010 and has sat there ever since. But with Arbor Stone purchased by another local landscaper, Sandy's Landscape, what is the fate of Spring Arbor's giant waving simian?

What Will Be the Fate of Spring Arbor, Michigan's Concrete Gorilla?

Scott Clow

According to an MLive article from 2010, the gorilla was sold to a lover of concrete animals around 2002. The new owner placed the giant statue near a pond and surrounded it with other cement creatures 'so it wouldn't be lonely.' When the gorilla's owner died, Arbor Stone, at the family's request, came to pick up the gorilla, along with most of its friends, in 2010, where it has lived ever since.

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Knowing the area's passionate feelings about their 6-foot concrete gorilla and seeing Arbor Stone's grounds being cleared of scrap, I began to wonder what the fate of Spring Arbors' unofficial greeter would be. I reached out to Joe Corrick, the owner of Sandy's Landscape, to see the plan for the iconic statue.

Scott Clow

Corrick shared great news for concrete gorilla fans: It's staying right where it is, greeting those entering Spring Arbor and waving goodbye to those leaving the community. A big thank you to Sandy's Landscape for continuing a tradition so many in Mid-Michigan look forward to seeing and waving to.

Spring Arbor, Michigan's 3,000 Pound 6 Foot Concrete Gorilla

For residents and regular travelers in Mid-Michigan, the concrete gorilla, which sits off M-60 just outside of Spring Arbor, is a welcome and anticipated sight. Created by the now-closed Arbor Stone landscaping business around the year 2000, the nearly 6-foot-tall, 3000-pound statue with its raised right hand has become one of the state's iconic roadside attractions.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

The Cross at Van Horn and US-127 in Jackson, Michigan

Built and erected on April 13, 2019, here's a look at the day the cross on US-127 and the Van Horn Road was raised, nearly a year after the Sackrider Hill Cross was taken down.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

DEAD MALLS of Michigan: Jackson's Nearly Empty Westwood Mall

Jackson, Michigan's Westwood Mall once boasted 72 tenants and a lush retail environment. Today it sits with well over 20 vacancies and an empty anchor store. Here's a look inside the nearly empty halls of Jackson's Westwood Mall.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

DEAD MALLS of Michigan: Battle Creek's BLEAK Lakeview Square Mall

Opened in 1983 by Forbes/Cohen and anchored by Hudson's, Sears, and JC Penney, the Lakeview Mall was once Battle Creek's meeting place. Face forward to today, and you'll find nearly entire wings void of shoppers or merchants. Here's a look at the empty storefronts, corridors, and halls of Battle Creek's Lakeview Mall.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Source: EXCLUSIVE: The Fate Of Spring Arbor, Michigan’s Concrete Gorilla

Filed Under: Michigan, Detroit, jackson, Mid-Michigan, I-94, Uniroyal Tire

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