Knox County, Neb. — Ever drive past a stranger's house and find yourself wondering, "What's the story there?" In Knox County, Nebraska, that curiosity leads to the Iron Zoo, a captivating roadside attraction on Jim and Sue Rohrer's property. Here, ordinary junk is reborn as extraordinary art. 

Jim, a seasoned welder with a shop in town, has spent years collecting scrap metal from auctions. Together with his wife, Sue, they transform these forgotten pieces into stunning sculptures, though the final form is often a delightful surprise.

The spark for this unique artistic endeavor came from an unexpected source: Jim’s classmate, Debby Kruse Larsen, and their Verdigre art teacher, Jean Walstrom. They encouraged Jim to participate in a junk art contest for Kolache Days in Verdigre. After assisting Larsen and Walstrom, Jim and Sue decided to try their hand at it. "I go around and find the parts, and Jim welds," Sue explains, highlighting their collaborative process. 

Despite the initial chaos of a yard full of scrap, they consistently create pieces that amaze both themselves and their visitors. Jim elaborates, "We find and rummage through the junkyard for certain pieces, then we decide what we’re going to make. Like our horse, we found a fuel tank and a piece off a grinder mixer that looked like a head, so we decided to make a horse."

Their creations are full of inventive details. "When it comes to the motorcycle, we took a waffle iron and opened it up to put on each side," Sue shares. "The piece that helps make up part of the gas tank is from an old sewing machine to decorate both sides." 

The Iron Zoo's popularity has soared, with one piece even finding a home in Colorado. After winning six contests, the celebrated art has been retired, drawing tourists eager to witness the spectacle. One of the main attractions is Jim's two elephants, ingeniously designed to shoot water from their trunks, creating a whimsical sprinkler for children to enjoy. 

The Rohrer's note that while the heyday of junk art might seem like a thing of the past, there's still a reason to visit. If you're ever nearby Knox county and crave a unique artistic detour, swing by, snap a photo, and soak in the quirky scenery. It's a memorable stop off the beaten path.