Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 1 month ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 1 month ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 1 month ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 1 month ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Michigan Port Austin The Emergency Ark
AO Edited

The Emergency Ark

Artist Scott Hocking took a dilapidated 1890s barn to create his massive "Barnboat."

Port Austin, Michigan

Added By
Mike Hardy
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The Emergency Ark   Thumbwind / Atlas Obscura User
The Emergency Ark   Thumbwind / Atlas Obscura User
Rope & Stone   Thumbwind / Atlas Obscura User
The Ark   Thumbwind / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Well, friends, let me tell you about a little gem you might stumble upon while cruising down a country road. There you are, admiring the peaceful scenery, taking in the sights of cows grazing in the fields. Then, out of the blue, you spot it—the Ark.

That weathered old timber, twisted and bent, looks like a dance of the ancient planks from the virgin forests that once ruled the thumb of Michigan. What started as a humble farm building is now a piece of art. A sculptor named Scott Hocking created the Emergency Ark back in 2015. He took a 19th-century barn and worked his magic, turning it into a symbol of sanctuary and safety. 

So, folks, next time you're out and about, enjoying the beauty of the countryside, keep an eye out for the Ark.

Related Tags

Outsider Art Art Outside Sculptures

Know Before You Go

If you're wondering where to find this artistic wonder, it's just about a mile south of Oak Beach, right there on Oak Beach Road and Fehner.

Community Contributors

Added By

Thumbwind

Published

May 26, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.portaustinart.com/scott-hocking
  • https://www.scotthocking.com/ark.html
  • https://thumbwind.com/2018/05/27/port-austin-home-of-emergency-ark/
  • https://thumbwind.com/2016/06/10/the-ark/
The Emergency Ark
3820 Fehner Rd
Port Austin, Michigan, 48467
United States
43.978641, -83.123417
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Turnip Rock

Port Austin, Michigan

miles away

Charity Island Lighthouse

Au Gres, Michigan

miles away

Sanilac Petroglyphs State Historical Park

Cass City, Michigan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Port Austin

Port Austin

Michigan

Places 2

Nearby Places

Turnip Rock

Port Austin, Michigan

miles away

Charity Island Lighthouse

Au Gres, Michigan

miles away

Sanilac Petroglyphs State Historical Park

Cass City, Michigan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Port Austin

Port Austin

Michigan

Places 2

Related Places

  • Austin, Texas

    ‘Malin’s Fountain’

    An 18-foot-tall troll sculpture, made from recycled wood and materials found in nature.

  • Savannah, Georgia

    ‘Black Holocaust Memorial’

    Papier-mâché folk art recognizing horrors of slave trade.

  • Gene Frankel Theater

    New York, New York

    'Dreams of Hyperion'

    A unique collection of figures perform down the facade of the Gene Frankel Theatre.

  • Staré Město, Czechia

    Kovozoo (Metal Zoo)

    Hundreds of "animals" created from scrap metal, alongside a collection of other oddities.

  • Some sculptures move and interact with water.

    San Sperate, Italy

    Il Giardino Fantastico di Fiorenzo Pilia

    A collection of sculptures that explore what's at stake when nature is thrown out of balance.

  • Crowning Woman

    Madison, Wisconsin

    'Crowning Woman'

    Prolific outsider artist Sid Boyum's concrete sculptures add whimsy to Madison's Schenk-Atwood neighborhood.

  • Neruda’s Gate by Mark di Suervo

    New Windsor, New York

    Storm King Art Center

    100 massive sculptures in the Hudson River Valley.

  • Winter Solstice 2019

    Wendover, Utah

    Sun Tunnels

    A sculpture for the sun and stars, created by Nancy Holt.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.