| Land of the Giants |
| NORTH CAROLINA: MUFFLER MEN |
| Big Man Bradsher Farms Raleigh, NC |
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| The Big Man orginally held a paintbrush and can at a Giant Decorator store in Raleigh. When they went out of business in 1984, the Bradshers bought him and moved him here. He once held signs about the farm's fresh produce. Now the Bradshers do more business selling sod, soil and sand. The Big Man looks terrific these days decked out as a farmer. But upon closer inspection, one of his boots could use some work (lawn tractor accident?) and his eyes look pretty creepy without pupils/irises. He has stubbornly hung onto his painter's cap. It was announced in 2006, that the "Giant Decorator" will be moving since the property on which he stands has been sold for development. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| Muffler Man Bub Hyder's Ranch Edneyville, NC |
Indian Muffler Man Bub Hyder's Ranch Edneyville, NC |
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| The Muffler Man and Indian Muffler Man are part of the simulated Western town at Bub Hyder's Ranch. There is also a Pioneer (see below), a couple steer statues and a Chip's figure. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Hill Cadillac Asheville, NC |
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| This Asheville Indian had his feather stolen about 20 years ago but it was returned. For more, see this website. |
| Erwin High School Asheville, NC |
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| This Asheville Indian, aka Chief Willy, is located in front of Erwin High School. The school's sports teams are called the "Warriors" and the "Lady Warriors" (previously the "Squaws"). In 2001, there was much debate about removing the statue for being racially offensive, but he still stands. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. |
| souvenir store Cherokee, NC |
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| The Cherokee Indian stands in front of a nice old souvenir store. He is flanked by two smaller Indian statues. |
| White's Tires Wilson, NC |
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| White's Tires has two locations in Wilson with a Muffler Man holding a tire at both of them. The smaller style Bunyan Man is on the roof of their Goldsboro store and the classic, larger Bunyan stands next to their Hines St. store. The Hines St. Muffler Man's raised hand is more typical of his Indian counterpart. |
| Log Cabin Homes Rocky Mount, NC |
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| The Log Cabin Homes Muffler Man was previously installed in Salem, IL. In Salem, he was known as Stan the Tire Man, at a business with the same name. That location closed and the Muffler Man was moved here in 2007. |
| Billy Bob Bill's Truck StopLexington, NC |
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| Daniel Boone Hillsborough, NC |
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| Pioneer Edneyville, NC |
Pioneer Guy Roanoke Rapids, NC |
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Billy Bob has been strapped to poles to keep him upright ever since Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Billy was produced by Unique Fiberglass Figures in NC. They called their mass-produced giant "The Big Man". The last one was made in 1980 and the mold is now broken.
Daniel Boone is most likely from the same mold as Billy Bob. He is part of Daniel Boone Village, a complex of antique shops and tourist attractions. The Village opened in 1965 as Daniel Boone Country. This statue was originally from Virginia and moved here in the 1970s. Daniel sure has an odd grasp on that rifle. I suspect these giants originally held a shovel or something similar in shape. The Edneyville Pioneeer is located just a mile or so from Bub Hyder's Ranch where two Muffler Men are located (see above). He is even painted the same colors as the classic Bunyan type so I suspect there must be some connection. The Roanoke Rapids Pioneer stood on the roof of Elmo Garner Jewelers in town until around 1989. He was then moved to the Roanoke Valley Sudan Shriners' Club. An oil drum was added to his hat to simulate a fez. The statue was repainted around 2008. For more, see this website. There is also a seated version of these Pioneer statues. There are two examples that I know of in Moody, AL and Pinellas Park, FL. It is believed that all of these statues were created by Unique Fiberglass Figures which was located in NC. There is a similar-looking Giant Prospector in Washoe Valley, NV. |
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Elsewhere in this Section:
Miss Uniroyal (Rocky Mount) |
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NC Misc. Giants |
Giants Main Page |
| [Main Roadside Page] |
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