Oddities on Interstate 90

E.T. has landed on a small hill on the north side of Interstate 90 just west of Exit 272. Maybe you’ve seen him (or her, or it) holding up a hand in greeting. He stands on the steps to his spacecraft which seats seven. His friends, perhaps, have gone to investigate their new home; 21 acres filled with curiosities where the alien from the movie “Alien” crouches beneath a glass table in the warehouse, metal chickens romp and huge sculptures stand at attention.

The property belongs to Mike Ferguson, who has been in business since 1990 at Ruby and Mission and the I-90 location. “Once a lady bought a (larger-than-life) Statue of David,” to upset her neighbors,” he joked. His personal favorites are the cast iron eagles with 7-foot wingspans. Marble lions will be coming in this summer.

Ferguson cruises around China, Mexico and Thailand in search of oddities. The alien and his craft came from a Chinese company and were created by a Philippine designer and engineer. “I was their first U.S. customer.” Ferguson purchased four, two of which have already been sold; one is heading to Montana and the other was placed in a yard on the North Side.

“They’re playhouses for children and adults,” Ferguson said.

The thought “I’m not in Kansas anymore” comes to mind while exploring the 21 acres, and it’s a good way to spend a few hours. “It takes at least three hours to see everything,” said Ferguson’s nephew, Matt Gonzales, “and we’re open year-round.”

Gonzales points to a towering palm tree in the distance. “That looks cool covered in snow,” he said.

The aliens should feel right at home.