Soaring Stones

Soaring Stones is a contemporary sculpture at Whitman College in Walla Walla made from six irregularly shaped granite pieces sourced from Washington. Each stone is mounted on polished stainless steel pedestals and arranged in a linear composition spanning the length of a city block.

The artist John T. Young created the work in 1990, and it originally stood in Portland's Transit Mall downtown. It was relocated to Whitman College in 2007, where it has remained since.

The sculpture represents the connection between human intervention and nature, drawing inspiration from the forms of the Cascade Mountain Range.

The installation is located outside Cordiner Hall and is freely accessible to walk around at any time. Recessed lighting built into the elevated stones allows you to view the composition after dark as well.

The tallest granite block rises to about 12 feet above ground, while the first stone is deliberately set below pavement level and buried beneath the walkway. This hidden element creates an unexpected connection between the visible composition and what lies beneath the surface.

Inception: 1990

GPS coordinates: 46.07024,-118.33184

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:24