“[It’s] the Avis Obelisk near the Ann Arbor City Airport,” writes Connie Burke. “It was erected in 1998 by Warren Avis … the founder of Avis Car Rentals,” writes David Karl. “What a sculpture of ‘strength, beauty and eternity’ is doing there, I’m not sure,” quips Dave Bicknell, referring to the plaque on the sculpture.
“Definitely off the beaten path,” says Dyke McEwen, referring to the clue. “I never knew this existed until I looked it up,” says Adam Goldsmith. Bob DeBona’s family all agree “it looks out of place in an Industrial Plaza setting.”
Avis “was a decorated bomber pilot in WW2. He started his car rental business at airports because as a pilot he could not find ground transport,” Karl explains. “His real estate holdings, known as Avis Farms, were converted to commercial offices and industrial parks and this is where the obelisk was built.”
“Off the beaten path for sure,” Karl continues. “But what an interesting idea from a man who had a lot of interesting ideas.”
Our winner from seventeen correct entries is Adam Goldsmith, who will enjoy his $25 gift certificate at Zingerman’s.