The Mesa Ring: A Monument in Stone

 

In the vast, rolling grasslands south of Buffalo, Wyoming, sits a sculpture that bridges the gap between the geological past and the modern artistic spirit. Known as the Mesa Ring, this massive circular work is a dry-stone masonry achievement. Built entirely from local fieldstone, it stands as a silent, textured crown atop a mesa, offering a 360-degree view of the Bighorn Mountains and the Powder River Basin.

The Artist: Robert DuBourg

The sculpture was created by Robert DuBourg, a visionary who understood that in a landscape as powerful as Wyoming’s, art must speak the language of the earth. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, DuBourg set out to create a piece that utilized the very stones that had sat on the prairie for millennia.

His choice of a ring, the "perfect circle," was intentional. In a world of jagged peaks and irregular sagebrush, the circle provides a sense of human order and infinite return. By using rock instead of steel or wood, DuBourg ensured that the sculpture would not just sit on the mesa, but would appear to be an extension of it.

The Art: Dry-Stone Masonry

The construction of the Mesa Ring is a feat of engineering and physical labor. It was built using dry-stone techniques, meaning there is no mortar or cement holding the rocks together. Instead, the stability of the 30-foot-wide ring comes from the meticulous placement of each individual stone, relying on gravity and friction to maintain its shape.

  • The Material: The stones were gathered from the surrounding area. They are weathered, lichen-covered pieces of Wyoming sandstone and limestone that carry the colors of the high desert: ochre, slate grey, and burnt orange.
  • The Texture: Unlike a smooth metal ring, the stone Mesa Ring has a rough, tactile quality. It changes appearance throughout the day; in the morning, the low sun creates deep shadows between the stones, while at noon, the ring appears almost monolithic.

A Living Portal to the Bighorns

The placement of the ring is a study in Site-Specific Art. DuBourg situated the ring so that it interacts directly with the horizon.

  • The Viewfinder: When you stand at the eastern edge of the ring and look through the rock circle toward the west, the circle perfectly frames the Bighorn Mountains. It turns the massive mountain range into a "captured" portrait.
  • The Acoustic Circle: Visitors often remark on the strange silence inside the ring. The stone walls, though not high, act as a subtle windbreak. In a state known for its relentless wind, stepping into the center of the Mesa Ring provides a rare moment of stillness, where the only sound is the rustle of the grass outside the stones.

Stories from the Ridge

The rock ring has inspired decades of local folklore in Johnson County. Because it looks like an ancient ruin, many travelers who stumble upon it are convinced they have found a prehistoric indigenous site or a "medicine wheel."

The Shepherd’s Observation:

A local story tells of a Basque sheepherder who used to graze his flock near the mesa in the 1980s. He initially watched DuBourg stacking the stones with great suspicion, thinking it was a strange way to build a corral. After the artist finished, the herder walked into the center, looked at the mountains through the stone frame, and reportedly said, "I have lived here forty years and never saw the mountains until they were inside that circle." This captures the essence of the Mesa Ring: it doesn't change the landscape; it changes how we perceive it.

What to Experience Today

Today, the Mesa Ring remains one of the most photographed and beloved landmarks in the Buffalo area. It is a place of pilgrimage for those who want to experience "Old Wyoming" through a modern lens.

  • The Hike: Reaching the ring requires a short trek through the sagebrush, giving the visitor time to adjust to the scale of the plains before arriving at the sculpture.
  • Stargazing: Because of its elevation and the absence of light pollution, the ring is a favorite spot for night photographers. The stone circle provides a grounded, terrestrial anchor for photos of the Milky Way stretching across the sky.
  • A Sanctuary for All Ages: It is a place where children can play among the stones (carefully!) and where adults can find a profound sense of peace. It reminds every traveler that art doesn't have to be loud or colorful to be powerful; sometimes, it just needs to be a circle of stones on a hill.
 
Bibliography
  • DuBourg, Robert. The Mesa Project: Notes on Stone and Space. Private Archives, 1981.
  • Wild Ideas Wyoming. "The Mesa Sculpture: A Stone Sentinel." https://wildideaswyoming.com/sculpture.
  • Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum. Cultural Landmarks of Johnson County. Buffalo, WY, 2015.
  • Johnson County Arts Council. The Legacy of Robert DuBourg in the Big Horns. 1985.
  • The Buffalo Bulletin. "Stacking History: The Restoration of the Stone Mesa Ring." September 2012.