Elwood is a 15-foot, four-ton concrete gnome who stands at the entrance to Reiman Gardens on the southern edge of the Iowa State campus. Installed in 2009, he was certified by Guinness World Records as the tallest concrete gnome on earth, displacing a smaller rival from Pennsylvania. He has a red pointy hat, a flowing white beard, and an expression of mild, settled cheer.
It is, of course, an absurd thing — but absurdly enjoyable. Children love him, parents take photographs, and on home football weekends he is decorated in Iowa State scarlet and gold. Free to view from outside the gardens.