The tiny towns of the Midwest are often very similar to others. There is the water tower, the community center, a few small businesses, likely at least one bar and grill, and a few lovely churches in a Midwest small town by default usually. Beyond that not a whole lot makes them stand out. However, there are a few towns out there that break the mold. This North Dakota town does more than just that — and what’s crazy is that it is mostly all due to one man determined to put this itty bitty place on the map.

His efforts have been worth it, and now he’s made this town one of the strangest — yet fascinating — towns in the midwest. Check it out:

Regent, North Dakota — a small town that was otherwise forgotten among the many until a specific person decided to make it a tourist hot spot, even if in an unusual way.
Andrew Filer/Flickr
The town is located in Hettinger County and only has a population of about 160 residents. It was founded in 1910, but remained fairly quiet since then, until local artist Gary Greff decided to change that.
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Greff began creating the Enchanted Highway out of Regent by sculpting massive metal structures of various things down an otherwise boring, empty road. Pheasants, grasshoppers, fish, deer, even a family of people are all featured in larger-than-life scale.
joevare/Flickr

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This sculpture has even broke the world record for being the largest metal sculpture, and has yet to be surpassed.
Terry Feuerborn/Flickr
Along with the highway, Greff built a few sculptures within Regent itself, and even a gift shop.
Andrew Filer/Flickr
These quirky buildings add quite a bit of character — even if a bit strange — to the town that has drawn in tourists and even gained national attention.
Andrew Filer/Flickr
It doesn't end at metal sculptures, though. Greff also transformed an unused school in Regent into the Enchanted Castle. This hotel now looks like a medieval fortress that you can stay in as a hotel. The inside is all themed, as well.
kandaskw/Tripadvisor

Regent, ND certainly is one of a kind! Have you ever visited it before or driven through the Enchanted Highway? North Dakota has had its fair share of unusual roadside attractions, and there are even more scattered across the state — some will definitely make you do a double take!

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