Louie the Lumberjack statue in Flagstaff beheaded

The Louie the Lumberjack statue inside Northern Arizona University's Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff was beheaded -- probably as a prank -- after it was taken down in September during stadium renovations. NAZ Today, which is run by the university's students, has the story: https://youtu.be/LROIs4wFqls The university's newspaper, Jack Central, said the headless statue was reported … Continue reading Louie the Lumberjack statue in Flagstaff beheaded

Oklahoma Tourism video features Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66

We knew this was going to happen eventually: The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department recently produced a video for Discover Oklahoma about Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66, the gift shop that opened along 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa earlier this summer. Here's the description of the video: Celebrate the fun of … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism video features Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66

Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May

The couple that recently purchased the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, said they likely would partly reopen the Route 66 restaurant in May, with a full reopening sometime in 2019. The restaurant is most famous for its  one-of-a-kind 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. Holly Barker and Tully Garrett, who bought the Launching Pad … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May

Online bidding for Muffler Man ends tonight

For those folks on Route 66 who wish to acquire a genuine, one-of-a-kind Muffler Man, you have the opportunity for a few hours to bid on one in Maine. Joel Baker, a Muffler Man fan and creator of the "American Giants" video series, is helping sell one in Winslow, Maine. As of this writing, the … Continue reading Online bidding for Muffler Man ends tonight

Contents of Granny’s Closet restaurant in Flagstaff to be auctioned

Almost all the memorabilia and contents inside the closed Granny's Closet restaurant and bar in Flagstaff, Arizona, will be auctioned April 28. Flagstaff Auctions will begin the auction at 10 a.m. that day for the Route 66 landmark at 218 S. Milton Road, reported the Arizona Daily Sun. However, the old tractor and lumberjack statue near the … Continue reading Contents of Granny’s Closet restaurant in Flagstaff to be auctioned

Paul Bunyon statue in Atlanta gets a new coat of paint

The oft-photographed Paul Bunyon fiberglass statue in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, received a touch-up last Saturday from the Illinois Route 66 Association’s Preservation Committee. According to The New Herald News, about 10 volunteers repainted the 19-foot-tall statue, also called Tall Paul. By 10:30 a.m. the scaffolding was in place and the preservation was underway. Everyone had a … Continue reading Paul Bunyon statue in Atlanta gets a new coat of paint

Anyone need a Muffler Man for their business?

If you own a Route 66 business that needs an eye-catching boost, the folks behind the "American Giants" documentary series are auctioning a 20-foot-tall Muffler Man. The fiberglass giant offered for sale is a Mr. Bendo / Paul Bunyon model. The online auction  ends July 17. "American Giants" host Joel Baker said in an email "we hope … Continue reading Anyone need a Muffler Man for their business?

Gemini Giant, Launching Pad restaurant to be auctioned

The future of the Gemini Giant on Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois, is a lot cloudier after it was announced it and its restaurant will be sold at auction in April. James Bednar of Bednar Auction Service told the Kankakee Daily Journal the unique, 30-foot-tall fiberglass giant and the long-closed Launching Pad restaurant will be sold in one … Continue reading Gemini Giant, Launching Pad restaurant to be auctioned

Test your ability to Hit the Road

The folks in Atlanta, Illinois, unveiled a deceptively simple but unusual new attraction in their Route 66 town -- a Hit the Road game modeled after an old strongman contest commonly seen at county fairs many years ago. The Hit the Road game is next to the Bunyon Statue in downtown Atlanta. More details: The … Continue reading Test your ability to Hit the Road

“American Giants,” Episode 8

Here is the eighth episode of Joel Baker's ongoing "American Giants" series about roadside fiberglass giants, also known as Muffler Men. https://youtu.be/nHZekubninc This episode covers the last of the Muffler Men in Chicago, including one extensively modified into a Frankenstein monster. Baker told me that the next episode will take place in Dodge City, Kan.