Native American Muffler Man

Standing tall and proud in Calumet, Oklahoma, this Native American Muffler Man is a classic roadside attraction you won’t want to miss.

Muffler Men are towering fiberglass statues, typically between 18 and 25 feet tall, that first popped up in the 1960s and ’70s to draw travelers off the highway and into local businesses. With their signature stance—arms bent in front, one palm up and one down—they were built to hold anything from mufflers to flags, hot dogs, rockets, or axes. These giants were originally produced by International Fiberglass and became icons of American roadside kitsch.

But the Native American Muffler Man (often referred to as the Big Indian, Big Brave, or Big Chief) is a rarer variety. Unlike the traditional version, this figure features one arm raised high in the air while the other rests by his side. He’s bare-chested, with a more solemn, weathered expression carved into his face, setting him far apart from his work-shirt-clad cousins.

This particular Big Indian once stood outside Howe Motors, a Nissan dealership in nearby Clinton, Oklahoma. In 2010, he made the move to Indian Trading Post & Art in Calumet, where he now greets visitors outside the shop on Route 66. Inside, you’ll find a wide selection of genuine Native American crafts, including moccasins, dreamcatchers, pottery, blankets, jewelry, and more.

Photos of the Native American Muffler Man in Calumet, Oklahoma