Towering over gas stations, diners, and small-town squares, Muffler Men are the fiberglass giants of Route 66. Some sling hot dogs, others rocket into space, and a few have swapped their tools for ice cream cones. From Illinois to California, these quirky roadside legends offer up big personality, bigger photo ops, and a hearty dose of Americana. If you’re road-tripping the Mother Road, here are the can’t-miss giants worth stopping for.
Gemini Giant – Wilmington, IL
Suit up for a space-age selfie with the Gemini Giant, a 28-foot astronaut standing guard outside the Launching Pad diner since 1965. Dressed in alien-green and clutching a rocket, this retro spaceman is a Route 66 icon. Restored in 2018, he’s now glowing brighter than ever. Whether you’re a space nerd or roadside kitsch fan, this is one photo op that’s totally out of this world.
Carl’s Ice Cream Muffler Man – Normal, IL
Say hello to Carl’s cone-wielding Muffler Man—an adorable 15-foot fiberglass foodie holding a burger in one hand and a towering swirl of ice cream in the other. Cast in 2021, he’s a modern twist on a classic giant. Find him outside Carl’s Ice Cream on South Main and snap a sweet selfie before diving into a cone. And yes, those cheekbones are very real… fiberglass real.
“Paul Bunyan” Hot-Dog Man – Atlanta, IL
This 19-foot Paul Bunyan traded his axe for an 8-foot hot dog, and honestly? We support the career pivot. Rescued from Cicero and now chilling in Atlanta’s town square, this hot-dog-slinging legend is a Route 66 favorite. He’s taken arrows and bullets and still stands tall—a must-stop for lovers of Americana with a side of meat-based whimsy.
Lauterbach Tire Man – Springfield, IL
Meet Springfield’s roadside sentinel: the Lauterbach Tire Man. Standing 30 feet tall and waving from a local tire shop, this fiberglass giant survived a decapitating tornado in 2006 but was rebuilt fast—because Springfield doesn’t mess around. Holding the American flag high, he’s one of Route 66’s most patriotic pit stops. Be sure to wave back and grab a quick photo with this long-standing hometown hero.
Mega Mayor – Uranus, MO
Only in Uranus will you find a 30-foot statue of the town’s self-proclaimed mayor holding a golden golf ball. Built in 2021 and re-headed after a tornado in 2024, Mega Mayor is pure patriotic chaos in fiberglass form. He greets every traveler with a wave and some serious stars-and-stripes swagger. Snap a pic, visit the Uranus Fudge Factory nearby, and prepare for peak roadside weirdness.
Frecs the Miner – Galena, KS
Frecs was a hometown hero built by hand in 2019 from pipe, wire, and pure Galena grit. At 19 feet tall, he stood near the 7th Street viaduct, honoring the town’s mining past. After a 2022 fire took most of him out, only his boots and sign remain. Still, he’s a local legend worth stopping for—and a touching tribute to small-town resilience and Route 66 spirit.
Buck Atom, Space Cowboy – Tulsa, OK
Strap in for liftoff with Buck Atom, Tulsa’s 20-foot space cowboy. With a silver helmet and rocket in hand, Buck stands proudly outside Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios—part gift shop, part roadside galaxy. Meet his crew (Stella Atom, Piggy Stardust, and more) and browse shelves packed with retro goodies. He may be one of the newer Muffler Men, but his charm is light-years ahead.
Second-Amendment Cowboy – Amarillo, TX
Bold, brash, and armed with opinions, the Second-Amendment Cowboy stands over 20 feet tall outside the Cadillac Ranch RV Park. Wearing a yellow shirt and flanked by gun-rights slogans, he’s part cowboy, part conversation starter. Once riddled with bullet holes, he now watches over westbound travelers with a smirk and a stance. Don’t miss the nearby shop for spray paint and Route 66 flair.
May Café Lumberjack – Albuquerque, NM
Call him a mutant, call him unforgettable—this one-armed lumberjack has stood above the (now closed) May Café since 1974. After losing his arms to a brutal 2013 windstorm, he was restored in 2019 and continues to wave with proud, slightly awkward charm. This rooftop Paul Bunyan is a quirky roadside hero and a true testament to the weird, wonderful soul of Route 66.
Flagstaff Lumberjack – Flagstaff, AZ
This beanie-clad lumberjack is more than a roadside stop—he’s Louie the Lumberjack, mascot of Northern Arizona University and a campus legend. Carved in 1960, he’s one of the few wooden giants on Route 66. You’ll find him near the Skydome, proudly standing tall with frontier flair and collegiate pride. Snap a pic and give a nod to one of the route’s original roadside icons.
Chicken Boy – Los Angeles, CA
Half man, half chicken, 100% bizarre—Chicken Boy rules the skies over North Figueroa Street in L.A. Originally from a fried chicken joint in the ’60s, he disappeared for decades before making a comeback in 2007. Now perched atop a building and holding his signature bucket, Chicken Boy is a roadside celebrity, preservation award-winner, and feathered icon of Route 66 weirdness.
