Alley Oop Soldier – Rome, New York - Atlas Obscura
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Alley Oop Soldier

Rome, New York

A 10-foot-tall concrete Alley Oop statue left over from World War II now stands on the side of the road. 

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Just off the road in the town of Rome, New York, a unique relic of World War II can be found: A 10-foot-tall concrete Alley Oop statue. In the 1940s, the statue had been a mascot for Griffiss Airforce base, and was subsequently lost and found again a few times over the years, eventually relocated to the side of the road.

The shirtless American GI is wearing a helmet and was once holding a machine gun, which has since gone missing.  For a long time it was covered in weeds and decorated with graffiti. The last time it was found, people reclaimed the concrete man and moved to its current location. It has now taken a place among other pieces of art work on the Griffiss International Sculpture Garden.

Know Before You Go

The statue is on the Griffiss International Sculpture Garden. Follow the signs to the parking lot for the Sculpture Garden and take a short walk to see it. You will pass other pieces of outdoor work as you go.

roadside attractions world war ii military sculptures statues
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