Rising from the Susquehanna River near Dauphin, PA, the miniature Lady Liberty has stood as a beloved local landmark for nearly 40 years—but her story is as bold as her stance!

On July 1, 1986, a group of adventurous locals—calling themselves “knuckleheads”—secretly boated a homemade 17.5-foot, 450-pound replica of the Statue of Liberty to an abandoned railroad pier. Built from wood and Venetian blinds, she appeared overnight, surprising drivers on Route 322 as her torch flickered from a car battery. Originally meant to stay until Labor Day, she captured the community’s heart.

When a storm toppled her in 1992, people rallied. With donations, hard work, and a bit of bureaucratic wrangling, a stronger, 25-foot, 4-ton Lady Liberty was airlifted into place in 1997—where she still stands, a symbol of creativity, perseverance, and community spirit.

Next time you’re near Dauphin, look for her out on the water—our own guardian of the Susquehanna! Click here to read more.