El trabajo rustico

Rumor has it Al Capone and the notorious Purple Gang partied in the underground garage and rathskeller on the site of what is now McCourtie Park.

Located south of Jackson, Michigan, in Somerset Center along US-12, concrete magnate William H.L. “Herb” McCourtie hosted lavish parties at his estate known as Aiden Lair.

While the glamour and glitz has certainly faded from this corner of Michigan, he left a lasting legacy for locals when he commissioned artists to construct 17 bridges in the el trabajo rustico or faux bois (false wood) style.

Well known in Mexico and Texas, this style is quite unusual for Michigan. It uses a combination of concrete, mortar and grout applied to a frame or armature to sculpt lifelike representations of wooden objects.

In 1987, the site became a public park open for all to explore and enjoy. Whether visiting in summer or winter, or anytime in between, the work always reminds me of a fairy village come to life.

I see splashes of color dancing everywhere, even on the dreariest of days.

As the coronavirus pandemic has many of us looking inward and spending more time outdoors, I’m reminded of the surprises you can find in your own backyard.