Louie, Louie, me gotta go — to Flagstaff, Arizona to see Little Louie statue, the Louie the Lumberjack statue formally of Lumberjack Café fame.
Lumberjack Cafe/Paul Bunyan Café was once home to a treasure trove of Route 66 roadside attractions in Flagstaff. It was perhaps best known for the two giant International Fiberglass muffler men, known to be the world’s first, that were erected outside the restaurant in the 1960s. Those were later moved to the Northern Arizona University (NAU) campus and you can still visit the NAU Skydome Lumberjack Muffler Man there today.
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But those weren’t the only attractions to see at this Route 66 cafe. There was another lumberjack statue, affectionately known as “Little Louie” that also stood outside.
Little Louie was not a muffler man. This ten-foot tall lumberjack was carved from cedar wood and was a little shorter and more stout than his fiberglass counterparts. But he was a beloved sculpture all the same.
When the restaurant changed hands and changed its name to Granny’s Closet in 1973, the two muffler men were moved. But, Little Louis remained behind.
He stood outside Granny’s Closet for its entire run, less the times he was removed for restoration. In 2009 local builder Wally Baird restored Louie, and, when he returned, he was returned on a specially-design platform in the parking lot, along with bright red antique tractor.
Granny’s Closet unfortunately closed in 2016, but you can still find Little Louie at the former space on Route 66.
While visiting Flagstaff, Arizona to check out this Route 66 roadside attraction be sure to also stop at Miz Zip’s for a meal and book a stay at Western Hills Motel or Hotel Monte Vista.
Photos of Little Louie (Louie the Lumberjack Statue) in Flagstaff, Arizona
