42 Presidential Heads in Virginia: A Quirky Tourist Draw with a $50,000 Backstory

In Croaker, Virginia, an unusual spectacle awaits: the decaying heads of 42 U.S. presidents. These presidential busts, each towering between 15 and 20 feet tall, have been resting quietly on private land since 2010. Originally part of Presidents Park in Williamsburg, the statues were slated for destruction after the park faced financial woes and closed its doors. But Howard Hankins, a commercial recycler, couldn't bring himself to demolish them. Instead, he spent $50,000 of his own money to relocate these mammoth heads to his 400-acre farm.

Here's what matters: These statues, carved by sculptor David Adickes, have found a curious audience. Thanks to social media, the decaying likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, and others have become something of an accidental tourist sensation. Photographer John Plashal, recognizing their unique charm, began offering paid tours in 2019. Now, visitors can walk among the giants, snapping photos and participating in trivia games. It's a quirky intersection of history and decay that's captured public interest.

The potential for a more permanent attraction is there. A proposed rezoning project could've transformed the area into a historic site complete with a museum and commercial space. However, the James City County Board chose not to move forward with the proposal last June. So for now, the heads remain a striking, if temporary, monument to presidential grandeur and decline.

From a risk perspective, the intrigue surrounding these statues offers a lesson: sometimes it's the most unlikely assets that garner the most attention. In markets, as in art, value can be found in the unexpected.