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All the United States Ohio Wapakoneta The Temple of Tolerance
AO Edited

The Temple of Tolerance

A gregarious Ohio resident has been building his whimsical temple to peace for decades.

Wapakoneta, Ohio

Added By
Julie Turnley
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Temple of Tolerance   GeeOJulie / Atlas Obscura User
Temple of Tolerance   GeeOJulie / Atlas Obscura User
Temple of Tolerance in Ohio   CC BY 2.0
Temple of Tolerance in Ohio   CC BY 2.0
  bgraphicdesign / Atlas Obscura User
  subverita / Atlas Obscura User
Front of house   maddog9290 / Atlas Obscura User
  Heizelman / Atlas Obscura User
Shell casings representing Ohio war deaths   ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
About Artist   ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
  Merrilee Luke Ebbeler
  bgraphicdesign / Atlas Obscura User
  subverita / Atlas Obscura User
  subverita / Atlas Obscura User
Temple of Tolerance in Ohio   CC BY 2.0
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About

Jim Bowsher has been building his Temple of Tolerance for decades. He started in his own backyard and, eventually, bought several lots behind that. The Temple is still surrounded by the neighborhood in which he lives.  

Walking through his "backyard" is like going through a maze of found art creations, sitting areas, and transplanted themed buildings, with all paths eventually winding their way to the Temple itself. Bowsher built his amazing Temple out of mainly stones, but has peppered it with a pot-pourri of objects. The Temple is dedicated to peace and bringing people together in meaningful ways. At times it's whimsical and playful, but it's always fascinating.  

If the very gregarious Bowsher is at home, he's more than likely to be in his creation and willing to discuss it. Neighborhood children are also often present playing and letting their imaginations go wild. It's like no playground they're likely to ever encounter. Like many "outsider art" projects, this one will probably never be truly completed, as Bowsher is constantly coming up with new ways to express his expanding vision. 

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Outsider Art Temples

Know Before You Go

Best to arrive by car or bike, parking is on the street and you can walk right up to the house and go into the backyard where the temple is located.

Community Contributors

Added By

GeeOJulie

Edited By

Meg, ski queen, maddog9290, bgraphicdesign...

  • Meg
  • ski queen
  • maddog9290
  • bgraphicdesign
  • Heizelman
  • subverita
  • BE
  • ianlefk

Published

September 25, 2017

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  • Roadsideamerica.com/story/19633
  • Facebook.com/pages/Temple-of-tolerance
The Temple of Tolerance
203 S. Wood St
Wapakoneta, Ohio
United States
40.568653, -84.18396
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Kewpee Hamburgers

Lima, Ohio

miles away

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Maria Stein, Ohio

miles away

Langsdon Mineral Collection

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ohio

Ohio

United States

Places 240
Stories 22

Nearby Places

Kewpee Hamburgers

Lima, Ohio

miles away

Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics

Maria Stein, Ohio

miles away

Langsdon Mineral Collection

Celina, Ohio

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ohio

Ohio

United States

Places 240
Stories 22

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Meet the Man Behind Ohio’s Whimsical Temple of Tolerance

Video

By Atlas Obscura

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