The north side of the main building at Thunder Mountain Park.
Frank Van Zant, (1920 -1989) also
known as Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder, built Thunder Mountain Park
with the assistance of many people over many years. The main home is no longer occupied.
The grounds and constructions are in serious need of repair and maintenance. If
you happen to go to Thunder Mountain Park, be sure to leave a donation
in the big metal box at the beginning of the walkway that takes you
on a tour through the grounds. Contents Films
A film by Allie
Light and Irving Sarif provides an intimate glimpse of Van Zant's
life and family when they were still living in the main building. The
film leaves viewers with an idealized impression that is not validated
by all who were there at the time. A short documentary
by Trent Harris made
during the 1970s provides additional insights and makes it possible
to see the evolution of the project over the years. 1.
"A Roadside Chat with Chief Thunder", by Richard Menzies,
Salt Flat News, Wendover, NV, May 1975. 2.
"Rolling Mountain Thunder", Nevada Magazine, Vol. 36, No.
2, 1976, pp 40-42, author: Bill Childress, . 3. "Visions
of Home: Preserving America's Folk Art", Whole Earth Review, No.
52, Fall 1986, p.108, author: Jocelyn Gibbs. The print references
were located thanks to the research efforts of Rebecca McCartney. If you have any
additional information or know of other resources about Thunder Mountain
Park or Frank Van Zant, please contact
us.
Thunder
Mountain Park in Imlay, Nevada is a marvelous collection of stone,
found objects and concrete constructions, buildings, figures, walkways
and fences. The place borders the south side of U.S Interstate Highway
80 smack in the middle of northern Nevada.
Photos
of Frank Van Zant (aka Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder) from a
Salt Flat News, May 1975 newspaper clipping on display at Thunder
Mountain Park. The Salt Flat News story and photos are by Richard
Menzies.
References
Print