Hidden away in the quiet countryside of northern Indiana sits one of the most unusual roadside attractions in America. A towering fiberglass sculpture shaped like a woman’s leg rises nearly 20 feet into the sky.
It is not just for show. This quirky landmark actually works as a sundial, casting shadows that tell the time throughout the day.
Located at Sun Aura Resort, a clothing-optional campground near Lake Village, the Giant Lady’s Leg Sundial has drawn curious visitors for more than five decades.
Built in the 1970s and lovingly restored in 2015, this colossal curiosity combines art, science, and a healthy dose of humor.
Whether you are a fan of offbeat Americana or simply love discovering hidden gems, this leg-shaped timepiece offers a memorable experience.
From its impressive dimensions to its fascinating history, the sundial continues to capture imaginations. Visitors often leave with stories that spark conversations for weeks.
A Fully Functional Timepiece That Actually Works
Most roadside attractions are built purely for visual appeal, but the Giant Lady’s Leg Sundial serves a genuine purpose. This sculpture functions as a real sundial, using the tip of the toe as the nodus, the part that casts the shadow to tell time.
Throughout the day, as the sun moves across the sky, the shadow shifts position on the ground below. It marks the hours with surprising accuracy.
Sundials have been used for thousands of years as timekeeping devices, and this quirky Indiana version follows the same ancient principles. The angle and position of the leg were carefully calculated to align with the Earth’s rotation and the local latitude.
When the sun is at its highest point, the shadow points directly at noon. As the hours pass, the shadow sweeps across markers placed on the ground.
What makes this sundial especially charming is its playful design. Instead of a traditional obelisk or gnomon, visitors see a giant, shapely leg complete with painted toenails.
The combination of science and whimsy creates a unique attraction that educates while it entertains.
Visitors who arrive during daylight hours can watch the shadow move in real time, though it takes patience to notice the gradual shift. The sundial works best during the summer months when the sun’s path is highest and most consistent.
During these peak times, temporary markers are arranged on the ground to help visitors read the time accurately.
For those interested in horology or astronomy, the sundial offers a fun lesson in how ancient cultures tracked time before clocks and watches.
It is a reminder that telling time does not always require batteries or digital displays. Sometimes all you need is sunlight, a shadow, and a little creativity.
Impressive Dimensions That Command Attention
Standing at 18.5 feet tall and stretching approximately 36 feet in length, the Giant Lady’s Leg Sundial is impossible to miss once you’re on the resort grounds. Some reports suggest the total length might reach up to 63 feet when measured from heel to toe at a certain angle.
Either way, this is not a subtle sculpture. It dominates the landscape with its sheer size and bold presence.
The fiberglass construction allows the leg to maintain its shape and durability despite decades of exposure to Indiana’s harsh weather conditions. Fiberglass is lightweight yet strong, making it ideal for large outdoor sculptures that need to withstand wind, rain, snow, and temperature fluctuations.
The material also allows for detailed sculpting, which is evident in the realistic curves and contours of the leg.
To put the size in perspective, the sundial is taller than a two-story building and longer than a school bus. Visitors often comment on how photographs do not quite capture the scale; you have to see it in person to appreciate just how massive this leg really is.
The sculpture’s size also makes it visible from certain vantage points outside the resort, adding to its mystique and local legend status.
The impressive dimensions were not just for shock value. A sundial needs to be large enough to cast a clear, readable shadow throughout the day.
The taller the gnomon, or in this case the toe, the longer and more precise the shadow becomes.
This makes the sundial easier to read and more accurate as a timekeeping device.
Located at a Unique Clothing-Optional Resort
The Giant Lady’s Leg Sundial resides within Sun Aura Resort, a 21-and-over, clothing-optional RV campground in the Lake Village and Roselawn area of Indiana. This private resort caters to adults seeking a relaxed, naturist-friendly environment where they can enjoy outdoor activities without the constraints of traditional clothing.
The resort offers RV hookups, recreational facilities, and a welcoming community atmosphere.
Because the sundial is located inside a private resort, visiting it requires a bit more planning than your typical roadside attraction. You cannot simply pull off the highway and snap a photo.
You’ll need to check in at the resort’s reception desk first. Most visitors call ahead or stop by the office to ask permission to view the sundial.
The staff are generally accommodating, especially if no events are happening and the grounds are not crowded.
One recent visitor shared their experience online, explaining that Google Maps led them to the resort, but the final approach was unexpected when they realized it was a clothing-optional facility. After speaking with reception, they were allowed to see the sundial and even have a photo taken by a staff member.
Photography of other guests is strictly prohibited to respect privacy.
The resort’s unique nature adds an extra layer of intrigue to the sundial’s story. It is not every day you visit a roadside attraction that requires navigating a naturist campground.
Built in the 1970s During the Era of Roadside Oddities
The sundial was constructed around 1970, during a golden age of American roadside attractions. This was a time when entrepreneurs and resort owners competed to create the most memorable, eye-catching landmarks to draw travelers off the highway.
Giant statues, oversized objects, and quirky sculptures dotted the American landscape. They turned ordinary road trips into adventures filled with unexpected discoveries.
The 1970s were also a period of social change and experimentation, particularly regarding lifestyle choices and personal freedom. Clothing-optional resorts and naturist communities gained popularity during this era.
Many embraced creative, playful expressions of their values. The Giant Lady’s Leg Sundial perfectly captures this spirit.
It is bold, irreverent, functional, and fun all at once.
No detailed records exist about who designed or commissioned the original sculpture. Creating a functional sundial requires understanding astronomy, geometry, and local geography.
Someone had to calculate the correct angle and orientation to ensure the shadow would accurately track the sun’s movement throughout the day. Combining this technical precision with the playful leg design shows real creativity and craftsmanship.
Over the decades, the resort changed names multiple times, but the sundial remained a beloved feature. It became part of the resort’s identity and a talking point for guests and locals alike.
Fully Restored in 2015 to Preserve Its Legacy
After decades of exposure to Indiana’s unpredictable weather, the Giant Lady’s Leg Sundial showed serious signs of wear by the early 2010s. The fiberglass had developed cracks, the paint had faded and chipped, and the overall structure was beginning to deteriorate.
Without intervention, this quirky landmark risked being lost forever.
In 2015, the new owners of Sun Aura Resort undertook a complete restoration project to save the sundial. They recognized its value not just as a resort feature, but as a piece of local history and American roadside culture.
The restoration involved carefully repairing all cracks in the fiberglass, reinforcing weak spots, and applying a fresh coat of paint that matched the original colors as closely as possible.
Restoring a fiberglass sculpture of this size presented unique challenges. Workers had to ensure structural integrity while preserving the sculpture’s original shape and character.
The process required specialized materials and techniques to bond the fiberglass properly and create a weather-resistant finish that would last for years to come.
The restored sundial now looks vibrant and eye-catching once again, with crisp paint lines and a smooth, glossy finish. The painted toenails are bright and cheerful, and the overall appearance captures the playful spirit of the original 1970s design.
Visitors today see the sundial much as it appeared when first unveiled over fifty years ago.
Uses Temporary Markers Instead of Permanent Hour Lines
Unlike traditional sundials that have permanent hour lines etched or painted onto a fixed surface, the Giant Lady’s Leg Sundial uses a more flexible approach. Instead of permanent markings, temporary markers are arranged on the ground during the summer months to track the shadow’s path.
These markers can be moved, adjusted, or removed as needed, giving the sundial a unique operational method.
This temporary marking system offers several advantages. First, it protects the ground beneath the sundial from permanent alterations, which helps maintain the resort’s landscaping flexibility.
Second, it allows for adjustments based on seasonal variations in the sun’s path. The sun’s angle changes throughout the year, and temporary markers can be repositioned to account for these shifts, ensuring greater accuracy during peak visiting season.
The markers themselves might be simple stakes, painted rocks, or other easily placed objects that create a clear visual reference without permanent installation. During the summer months, when the resort is busiest and the sundial gets the most visitors, these markers help guests easily read the time from the shadow’s position.
When fall and winter arrive, the markers can be removed or stored until the next season.
This approach also adds an interactive element to the sundial experience. Visitors might see staff members adjusting markers or explaining how the system works, creating educational opportunities and personal connections.
A Must-See Destination for Offbeat Americana Enthusiasts
Despite being located inside a private resort, the Giant Lady’s Leg Sundial has achieved legendary status among fans of quirky roadside attractions. Websites like Roadside America and Atlas Obscura feature the sundial in their listings of unusual destinations, and travelers who collect experiences at offbeat locations consider it an essential stop in Indiana.
What makes the sundial so appealing to this community? It combines several elements that roadside attraction enthusiasts love: impressive size, unusual design, functional purpose, and an interesting backstory.
The fact that it requires a bit of effort to visit by checking in at a clothing-optional resort adds to the adventure. It makes the experience more memorable than simply pulling off at a highway exit.
Photographers and social media users particularly enjoy the sundial because it offers such a unique photo opportunity. Where else can you pose next to a giant leg that also tells time?
The sundial has appeared in countless blog posts, Instagram feeds, and YouTube videos. It has spread awareness of this hidden Indiana gem to audiences around the world.
The sundial also represents a broader cultural phenomenon: America’s love affair with the weird and wonderful. From the world’s largest ball of twine to buildings shaped like giant baskets, the country has a rich tradition of creating attractions that celebrate imagination and humor.
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