A Native American fiberglass giant that stood in Bemidji, Minnesota, for more than 60 years is on its way to the American Giants Museum along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois.
The so-called Big Indian has been Morell’s Chippewa Trading Post since 1963.
According to the Bemidji Pioneer newspaper, which had photos of the giant being dismantled:
Museum director Joel Baker purchased the statue from Morell’s owner Roxi Mann, and on Monday a crew disassembled it, placed it on a flatbed and sent it on its way to Illinois, where it will be restored and placed on one of six concrete pedestals.
Baker, who has been interested in giant roadside statues for more than 20 years, visited Bemidji in 2022 and casually mentioned an interest in purchasing the statue.
“About a month or two ago we started working on this plan,” Baker said. “One thing we really do is we concentrate on each giant’s particular history, so that’s very important to me.”
Baker said he hopes to have his newest acquisition installed at the American Giants Museum later this year, along with an extensive history of that type of giant.
The so-called Big Indian is a variation of Muffler Men created in the 1960s and ’70s by International Fiberglass in Venice, California.
(Image of the Native American Muffler Man at Morell’s Chippewa Trading Post in Bemidji, Minnesota, by D. Bjorn via Flickr)
Not knowing any details, but I am saddened to hear that this icon of Bemidji, the North Woods and Hwy 20 is leaving his home, right across the street from Paul Bunyan and his blue Ox, Babe-1938.
I feel that all these cool giants and signs, etc. should ideally remain at home and not be deported to a foreign land!
I’m with you on that, Terrence. This is a huge tragedy for Bemidji. Maybe the Orange One’s tariffs will derail this sale and move.