Metal Man
Metal Man
John Haywood, who lives in the Bloomfield area near the Tulip Trestle, has created his home and property to appear mystical with his imaginational ideas. His house is located among the steep hills and deep valleys of Richland Township. The area has a unique view of the countryside as the hillside behind his house appears to drop about two hundred feet.
Haywood has sculpted objects all of his life, but he has created most of the items in the last twenty-five years. People who drive by his house for the first time cannot just drive by. They usually slow to a crawl just to see the land of creation that they are passing. Some have even backed up their vehicles to get a better view of the buffalo, man and his horse, lion, and boy on a tricycle—just to name a few.
John is very talented and artistic. He has a creative imagination that he uses to make clever designs that are displayed in his yard. He has crafted his own little world made of scrap metals, forks, spoons, and any other items people just see as junk. People may think that these items are just sitting in his yard taking up space, but Haywood has developed an elaborate walkway that people may follow to tour the entire area around his house.
His workshop, located on the west side of his house, is where he creates these visionary characters. The rustic workshop is as picturesque as his creatures. Haywood has his own way of recycling metal and fabricating one-of-a kind sculptures. He often creates items and then takes them to local festivals and sells them. In addition, he takes special orders from people who are seeking unique artwork.
Not only does he create big animals, but he also creates small villages. On the south side of the road at his house is a gnome valley. The home to these creatures is what appears to be just old logs and trees that have been lying on the ground for a long time. These logs are now the gnomes’ community which has homes with gardens, as well as a church, school house, toy shop, workshop, and other small buildings to complete the village.
The most recent addition to Haywood’s woods is Sasquatch, who stands nine-feet tall. He was formed using chicken wire and brown leaves leftover from last fall. The towering creature is tucked among some trees a few feet from the road. At first glance passersby may catch only a glimpse of Sasquatch and then do a double take to be sure their eyes are not deceiving them.
Haywood is soft spoken and witty. Each of his creations holds a very special story behind it. As he tells the stories about the imaginary creatures, it seems as though they come alive. Haywood’s imagination has created a unique land through the use of scrap metals. The metal man has definitely taken recycling to an entirely new level.
This information was used with permission from the Linton-Stockton School Corporation.
