Depression-era worker built 250,000-stone garden after losing factory job in 1932

Harry Hartman, an Ohio factory worker, lost his job in 1932 and channeled his energy into constructing an elaborate folk art garden using over 250,000 stones and repurposed materials. He spent 12 years building the remarkable structure, which stands as a testament to his creative vision. After Harry's passing, his wife Mary dedicated 53 years to maintaining and caring for the garden. The Kohler Foundation eventually stepped in to restore the site and transferred its stewardship to a local non-profit organization. Today, the garden serves as a public destination, welcoming visitors to experience Hartman's extraordinary artistry.