In 2018 I will feature a random (yet alphabetical) selection of photos I have taken from my nearly 20 years of back roads travel in the United States and Canada. I may even throw in a few random shots from other trips to Japan, Mexico and the Philippines. My theme is called America’s Back Roads: A Grab Bag of Places in Pictures.
Sunset Motel – Belle Fourche, South Dakota
Great little place in the geographic center of the continental US!Always like places with these old keys!
Spider Volkswagen – Wolf Creek, Oregon
Spider Volkswagen – Wolf Creek, Oregon
Sandwich, New Hampshire
WARNING: They do not have a place to get a sandwich in Sandwich. No Joke!
Sandwich, New Hampshire – Cool little village as long as you don’t want to find a sandwichSignposts in Sandwich, NH. No restaurants!
Story Inn – Story, Indiana
Sumoflam at the Story Inn in Story, INThe nice old wooden floors of the Story Inn dining areaAntique Checkerboard on the Story Inn front porch. Checkers are actually old pop bottle caps
San Xavier del Bac – Tucson, Arizona
Old Church “San Xavier del Bac” in TucsonMeditation – San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, Arizona
Success, Missouri
Finding Success in Missouri
Shoshoni, Wyoming
The seemingly run down business section of Shoshoni, WYOld Motel Neon sign in Shoshoni, WY
Space Aliens Grill & Bar – Waite Park, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota
Space Aliens Grill & Bar – Waite Park, MNSumoflam with an Alienized Smile at Space AliensSpace Aliens Grill & Bar, Fargo, ND
Screaming Heads – Burk’s Falls, Ontario
Screaming Heads. Canadian secondary school teacher Peter Camani created these spooky yet fascinating landscape artwork. Since the mid-1970s besides being a teacher, he has built these massive structures and amazing castle.Sumoflam at Screaming Heads in Burk’s Falls, OntarioScreaming Heads – Burk’s Falls, Ontario
Spud Drive-In – Teton Valley, Idaho
The Spud Drive-In – Teton Valley, IdahoThe Spud sign – Teton Valley, ID
Sandhill Cranes – Barren River Lake, Kentucky; Cecilia, Kentucky; Dell, Montana
Sandhill Cranes take flight1000s of sandhill cranes converge on a field near Cecilia, KYSandhill Cranes near Red Rock Ranch in Dell, MontanaA pair of Sandhill Cranes at sunset near Cecilia, KY
Stone Mountain – Stone Mountain, Georgia
Stone Mountain, GA in 2015
Scary Creek, West Virginia
Scary Creek Church of God signScary Creek Paintball billboard
Silver Saddle Motel – Manitou Springs, Colorado
Silver Saddle Motel – Manitou Springs, CO
Sapp Brothers – Nebraska City, Nebraska; Council Bluffs, Iowa
Sapp’s Coffee Pot Water Tower in Nebraska CitySapp Brothers Water Tower in Council Bluffs, IA
Solomon, Kansas
US Post Office, Solomon, KansasSolomon Water Tower
Shipwrecked Brew Pub – Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Ahoy matey…how about some lunch at the Shipwrecked Brew Pub in Egg Harbor, WI
Suizenji Park – Kumamoto, Japan
Enjoying a visit to the famed Suizenji Park in Kumamoto
Spar Cafe – Olympia, Washington
Spar Cafe – Olympia, WAInside the Spar Cafe in Olympia
Salida, Colorado
Salida, ColoradoOdd metal buffalo in Salida, Colorado
Seth, West Virginia
Seth, West Virginia
Sam Houston Statue – Huntsville, Texas
77 Foot Tall Sam Houston Statue in Huntsville, TexasSumoflam with Big Sam Houston towering behind him in Huntsville, TX
Star Trek Places – Vulcan, Alberta; Riverside, Iowa
Sol and Sumoflam live long and prosper with the Starship Enterprise in Vulcan, Alberta Sept 2007Live Long and Prosper – Sumoflam and the Starship Riverside
Seagull with clam in Port OrchardA flock of seagulls on the deck of the Hyak in Puget Sound, WAA couple of seagulls “converse” as they enjoy the view over a lake in Ashland, WisconsinSeagull in flight in Gulf of Mexico near Galveston, TexasA closeup shot of a seagull taken on Bremerton Ferry while crossing the Puget Sound in Washington
Chief Standing Brave – Big Cabin, Oklahoma
Giant Indian Chief “Standing Brave” in Big Cabin, OK
Spindle (Cars on a Spike) – Cermak Plaza – Berwyn, Illinois
As seen in the movie Wayne’s World – sadly, no longer around
The famed “Spindle” sculpture as seen in the movie Wayne’s World. Apparently, it wasn’t worthy. This was taken in 2007 and in 2008 it was torn down…meh
Smiley Water Towers – Adair, Iowa; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Beloit, Wisconsin; Cedar Creek, Texas; Smiley, Texas
Smiley Water Tower in Adair, IowaWinking Smiley on backside of Water Tower in Grand Forks, NDBeloit, WI Smiley Water TowerSmiley Water Tower – Cedar Creek, Texas
And finally…one without a Smiley Face….
A Smiley Water Tower without a Smiley Face…Smiley, Texas
Seattle as seen from a boat in the Puget SoundWelcome to the Seattle WaterfrontSeattle’s famed “Great Wheel”
Shenandoah National Park – Luray, Virginia
Visiting Shenandoah National Park on Easter Sunday 2017Easter Sunrise as seen from Shenandoah National ParkHills of Shenandoah Valley in presunrise hours on Easter 2017
Skeletons on the Highways – Port Orchard, Washington; San Francisco, California; Montrose, South Dakota; Murdo, South Dakota
Closeup of the Biker Skeleton at Bethel Saloon in Port Orchard, WAA skeleton pirate guards the entrance to a shop in Fisherman’s WharfA skeleton keeping guard at Porter’s Sculpture Park in Montrose, SDSkeleton Walking Dinosaur near Murdo, South DakotaCloseup of Murdo Skeleton
Sorehead Cafe – Rudyard, Montana
The Sorehead Cafe – Rudyard, Montana
Stoneville Saloon – Alzada, Montana
Stoneville Saloon in Alzada, MT taken in June 2005Stoneville Saloon – Cheap Drinks – Lousy FoodCanned Delicacies at Stoneville Saloon – Alzada, Montana
Saketumi Restaurant – Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Japanese food at the Saketumi Asian Bistro in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Stoner Drug – Hamburg, Iowa
Stoner Drug in Hamburg, IAThe old fashioned soda fountain inside of Stoner Drug
Sawtooth Mountains – Stanley, Idaho
Sawtooth Scenic Byway in IdahoJagged Sawtooths near Stanley, IDSawtooth Range as seen from Galena Overlook
Sod House Museum – Gothenburg, Nebraska
Sod House Museum, Gothenburg, NEBarbed Wire Indian Chief and Horse – Sod House Museum – Gothenburg, Nebraska
A bit of Superman – Metropolis, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Ashland, Wisconsin
Superman Mural in Metropolis, ILAt the house that used to be the home of Jerry Siegel, the Creator of the Superman stories. This is in Cleveland, OhioSuperman is hung forever on the side of Boudreau’s antiques…saving a little doll?Sumoflam and the 12 foot tall bronze Superman in Metropolis (not fiberglass, but a neighbor to Big John)
Sheep Capital of America – Newell, South Dakota
Livestock Sign – Newell, SDSign at the door of TJ’s Cafe in Newell, SD. Bear in mind this is sheep country.
Welcome to Shelby, MSColorful buildings of Shelby, MSDaniel’s Snack Shack, Shelby, MS
Sedona, Arizona
Agave in Sedona, ArizonaChapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, AZOak Creek runs by the famed Cathedral Rock in Sedona, AZ
Stinky’s Country Well – Gilboa, Ohio
Stinky’s Sign – Gilboa, OhioStinky’s Country Well – Gilboa, Ohio
Showmen’s Rest Cemetery – Hugo, Oklahoma
Showmen’s Rest in Hugo’s Mt. Olivet CemeterySumoflam with an Elephant Headstone at Showmen’s RestA final view of Showmen’s Rest
Santa Claus, Indiana
Santa Claus Welcome SignA Santa Selfie at Santa Claus Post OfficeSanta Claus Police
Scandinavian Heritage Museum – Minot, North Dakota
The Gol Stave Church replica and museum at the Scandinavian Heritage Center in Minot, NDThe 30 foot tall Dala Horse at the Scandinavian Heritage Center in Minot
Sparta House – Sparta, Ontario
Sparta House Tearoom – Sparta, Ontario
Scotty’s Hamburgers – Idaho Falls, Idaho
Scotty’s Hamburgers – Idaho Falls, Idaho
Severed Head Trading Post – Perryville, Kentucky
Severed Head Trading Post – Perryville, Kentucky
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway – Nebraska
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway on Nebraska Hwy 2Nebraska Highway 2 Sandhills JourneySunset over Beem Lake in the Sandhills of Nebraska…
Seabrook, New Hampshire
Sign Post in Seabrook, NHWelcome to New Hampshire! US State #48 for me.
Schroeder’s Drive-In – Danville, Illinois
Schroeder’s Drive-In – Danville, Illinois
Shakespeare, Ontario
Welcome to ShakespeareAntique Shops in Shakespeare
Steubenville, Ohio
Welcome to Steubenville, OHMarket Street by Michael Wojczuk. This was the first mural painted in SteubenvilleSumoflam and Dino in Steubenville
Swedesburg, Iowa
Welcome to SwedesburgThe famous Straw Goat from Swedesburg.Caution – Swedish Crossing in Swedesburg, IA
Sam Black Church, West Virginia
Sam Black Church in Sam Black Church, WVSam Black Church historical Marker
Sunset Crater National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona
Family at Sunset Crater National Monument north of Flagstaff in July 1993
Silver Dollar Saloon – Leadville, Colorado
Silver Dollar Saloon storefront – Leadville, Colorado
If you like what you see, you may want to check out my book: Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names, available on Amazon. My second book, Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions, will be available in late April or early May 2018. Click on the photo below for more details or to get a copy of the book.
Let’s face it, Americans love those quirky roadside attractions! We all know it and its time to admit it. As far back as the 1930s they have been around. But it was the 1960s and 1970s that really got the roadside things going as people traveled Route 66 and other US Highways. The quirky and offbeat were the drawing cards…the highways were our Disneylands!
Remnants of those days still hang around even as some artsy companies keep pushing them out to roadside restaurants, garages and filling stations.
The Old Muffler Man – (photo courtesy Roadside America – used with permission) This one known as the Joor Muffler Man in Escondido, CA
One of the most iconic of the roadside tchotchkes were the Muffler Men, those roadside giants holding Mufflers and axes and other things. I remember them well from my youthful 1960s living in Albuquerque. There are now websites that are totally devoted to them (such as the American Giants website with great, professionally produced documentary-style videos made by Joel Baker and his team) and then my favorite site on the web Roadside America, which has a huge section about them including a detailed and fascinating (and well-researched!) history of these guys.
Roadside America’s Interactive Muffler Man Map (used by permission – click map to go to the actual interactive map)
Like many travelers, a few years ago I figured there were only one kind of muffler man. But, as I have traveled across this country, I have run into a few of them and their derivatives as well as some that were mistaken as muffler men. Once again, the genius team at Roadside America has even gone to the trouble to create a glossary to identify the myriad variety.
Muffler Man Identifier – click to go to the actual Roadside America page. (used by permission)
So, as I drive the back roads of America, I am always on the look out for these friends of the freeways and heroes of the highways. I am nowhere close to have come across the dozens and dozens of them, but I have certainly stumbled on a few and even have enjoyed the variety of them as shown in this post.
Cowboy Muffler Man – Big John in Great Falls, Montana (originally designed for Phillips 66)
The one above has a mustache and a cowboy hat. It is the parking lot attendant for a big casino in Great Falls.
Paul Bunyan in Wentzville, MO advertising that No Job is Too BigBig Indian in Bemidji, MN in front of a souvenir shop
So, what is the history. I suggest you read the entire story HERE. But, in a nutshell, it was Steve Dashell’s company, “International Fiberglass, that turned out thousands of commercial statues in the 1960s and 70s. International Fiberglass took a single statue mold created for a cafe and parlayed it into a roadside industry.” It turns out that International Fiberglass also created the green Sinclair Dino’s (many are still around) and some ESSO Tigers (remember those?). His first fiberglass giant was built in 1962 for a restaurant in Flagstaff, AZ. It was a Paul Bunyan looking Lumberjack. I am a graduate of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and, if I am not mistaken, that same Paul Bunyan now sits on the NAU Campus as does one other. (see the story here) Unfortunately, during my time at NAU I never took any photos of them….humph!!
NAU Lumberjack – copyright Roadside America
Dashell’s company made some basic molds and then were able to use them to create a variety of styles. Some were made for Texaco, some for Uniroyal (a Female statue).
Uniroyal Gal – this one is now in a pose out front of Martha’s Cafe in Blackfoot, ID
There are a few collectors out there and so they sometimes appear in out of the way places. Perhaps the most well known collector is Glen Goode in Gainesville, TX. (see RA Article Here). I visited Glen’s place in 2012. He has the BIG THREE including a Uniroyal Gal, a Muffler Man and a couple of Big Johns.
Glen Goode’s Big People in Gainesville, TXSumoflam at Glen Goode’s Big People in Gainesville, TX (November 2012)Smiling Big John at Glen Goode’sBig Tex Muffler Man smiles too
The Big Johns were made by a company in or around Cape Girardeau, MO in the late 1960s and 1970s. I have come across one of the originals in Metropolis, IL, with grocery sacks and all. It stands nearly 30 feet tall. Unfortunately, he is outshined by the 12 foot tall BRONZE Superman in Metropolis (added here for fun)
Big John with Grocery Bags in Metropolis, ILSumoflam and the 12 foot tall bronze Superman in Metropolis (not fiberglass, but a neighbor to Big John)
I also saw one as I drive into Mississippi from Tennessee, without the bags:
This Big John welcomes you to Mississippi with open arms. (June 2014)
I also came across a “deconstructed Big John” at a place in St. Louis. The legs were on display in the front and the upper torso sat in the backyard…with the original checkered shirt.
Big John Legs in St. LouisBig John Torso sits alone in the back yard in St. Louis
Of course, I have run into a few more in my travels. There is a beer toting one in Sturgis, SD standing guard outside of the Full Throttle Saloon (yes, the one from the TV Show in 2013)
Muffler Man with mug of beer in Sturgis, SD.
There is another one I came across in Hatch, New Mexico
Muffler Man in Hatch, NM
While in Hatch I also came across another iconic fiberglass family…also created by International Fiberglass in 1963 when A&W introduced four choices of hamburgers and their corresponding Burger Family members: Papa Burger, Mama Burger, Baby Burger, and Teen Burger. There aren’t many of these around. I looked for the one in Hillsboro, Oregon in 2012 and couldn’t find it. I was thrilled to see this one in Hatch, NM.
A&W Family in Hatch, NM
But the Muffler Men, Big John and Uniroyal Gal are not the only big fiberglass folk out there. Ironwood, MI is home to the “World’s Tallest Indian Statue”, a 50 foot Hiawatha that was built in Minneapolis in 1964, transported to Ironwood. It is huge and can be seen towering above town at the end of main street.
Hiawatha stands proud at the end of the road in Ironwood, MIHiawatha side viewHiawatha Stands 50 feet tall in Ironwood, MI
Another big fiberglass creation is the Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, MN. Added by Creative Displays (which later became F.A.S.T) in 1978. At 55.5 feet tall, he is a tad larger than Hiawatha.
Jolly Green Giant in Black Earth, MN
Not nearly as large, but yet another roadside icon that continues on throughout the U.S. is the Big Boy statue. Actually, there are a couple of them.
Big Boy statue in the West can be seen at Bob’s and JB’s
As a young boy in Albuquerque, the Bob’s Big Boy was always a treat. We saw him in many places. These Big Boy statues were another creation of International Fiberglass. Many of them are gone now (there is even a site dedicated to Big Boy Graveyards). Nowadays in Kentucky there is Frisch’s Big Boy, which is headquartered in Cincinnati (the original Bob’s started near Detroit in Warren, MI). They have a different looking brother to the original.
Sumoflam with Big Boy at Frisch’s in Richmond, KY
Speaking of fiberglass burger guys, Seymour , WI proudly claims to be the home of the original hamburger and has erected a 12 foot fiberglass statue of “Hamburger Charlie” Nagreen, the supposed inventor. (there are claims by other towns)
Hamburger Charlie statue in Seymour, WIHamburger Charlie’s dignified face
The town of Santa Claus, IN has a number of fiberglass statues of Santa, but the biggest and oldest (built in 1935) was made of cement.
Santa Claus stands 12 feet tall on a hill in Santa Claus, IN.
There are a number of others around town. Here are a couple of the Santas that hang around Santa Claus, Indiana
A Cranky Santa, stands about 9 feet tall, Santa Claus, INA resting Santa, about 6 feet tall, Santa Claus, IN
Finally, a few other guys I have run into on the road….
A fiberglass Uncle Sam in Hatch, NMA 10 foot tall fiberglass pizza guy in TennesseeA Big Paul Bunyan in northern Wisconsin
And this ends Part I of my Fiberglass Giants. Part II will feature a few animals and birds. Part II will cover some giant fish and other oddities.
This blog entry not only includes a unique name of a town, but is now introducing the second theme of this blog…the big statues and unusual sites along the road.
Metropolis Signs
Metropolis is the home of the Giant Superman Statue – a 200 foot tall statue of the Man of Steel.
Funny thing is, as I drove into this town, the first big statue I saw was in front of a grocery store and was NOT the Giant Superman Statue!!
The town is really all about Superman.
The Giant non-Superman Statue – Big John the Grocery ClerkGiant Superman with not so giant SumoflamFlying Superman Statue in MetropolisGiant Superman Mural with all of the Supermen