The first garden gnomes were made in the town of Gräfenroda in Thuringia, Germany in the mid-1800s by Phillip Griebel. Griebel made terracotta animals as decorations and created the gnome based on local myths as a way for people to enjoy the stories of the gnomes' willingness to help in the garden at night. The garden gnome quickly spread across Germany and into France and England and wherever gardening was a serious hobby.Garden gnomes have become a popular accessory in many gardens. They are often the target of pranks: people have been known to return garden gnomes "to the wild." Some kidnapped garden gnomes have been sent on trips around the world (the travelling gnome prank; this later became the basis for Travelocity's "Roaming Gnome"). The practice of stealing garden gnomes is also sometimes referred to as "Gnome Hunting." Gnomes are often depicted as having beards and are typically males and usually wear red hats. They are made in various poses and pursuing various pastimes, such as fishing or napping. (Newbury, MA - June 8, 2007)
