Forget the water towers and welcome signs. Hamilton Crossroads has its own landmarks of sorts: a couple of dragons.

The concrete dragon statues stand guard at the Corbin residence along U.S. Highway 231 South.

“I’ve actually had two people stop and ask where I got them,” said Elaine Corbin.

Her husband, Joe bought all of her yard’s cement decorations from Big Boyz Yardworks in Dothan about two years ago for their 20th wedding anniversary. He worked out a deal and made monthly installments until all were theirs.

Elaine doesn’t think the business is around anymore, but that’s not what makes her yard art priceless to her. Joe died last November and the fountains, birdbath, dragons and bears are pleasant reminders of him.

“He was always very thoughtful when he gave gifts,” she said. “Being a 20th anniversary, it is something special. We’ve always loved dragons and skulls.”

Each member of the family had a favorite. Joe loved the bear fountain and a bear statue that looks right at home in Elaine’s garden.

Elaine loves the dragons that sit on either side of her driveway. She added gazing balls that light up and change colors. Her son, Scott agrees. “I think they look pretty cool.”

Her son, Max is a fan of the lion water feature.

Elaine’s grandparents, Walter Ed and Sybil Dykes, were the original owners of the home. They ran a club just down the road.

Elaine said her grandparents started the concrete collection. They owned a table and benches that had fallen over during a storm. The discarded set sat in a pile in the yard for the longest time. “I hated seeing it that way,” said Elaine.

Her neighbor and sons built a base for the set that would keep it from falling again. Now, the table and benches sit in the center of the front yard surrounded by the rest of Elaine’s treasures.

Elaine’s yard is a work in progress. She hasn’t found a place for all of her concrete gifts and would love to fit more time in the day for her flowerbeds. Each addition shows her personality, her love for unique things, and she recommended others step out of the box once in a while.

“I would just say, if you find something that really appeals to you and maybe says something about yourself or your loved ones, it’s nice to have,” she said.