The landmark Gemini Giant fiberglass statue at the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois, was sold at auction Wednesday for $275,000, and the mayor announced it will remain in town at a different location. Grafe Auctions didn't reveal the buyer, citing its privacy policy. However, the City of Wilmington hours later revealed in … Continue reading Gemini Giant sells at auction for $275,000, will stay in Wilmington
Tag: American Giants Museum
American Giants Museum announces hours, will hold grand opening Memorial Day weekend
The American Giants Museum in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, recently announced its regular hours, with a grand opening set for Memorial Day weekend in late May. This month, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Starting April 2, the hours will be: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through … Continue reading American Giants Museum announces hours, will hold grand opening Memorial Day weekend
Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer
The owner of Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, is commissioning a new, nearly 20-foot-tall Muffler Man called "Big A the Texaco Man" that he hopes will be standing at his business by summer 2024. "Big A" is being made by Enchanted Castle Studios, which has made other Muffler Men or fiberglass giants around the country … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer
‘CBS Sunday Morning’ takes a closer look at history of Muffler Men, new museum
The long-running "CBS Sunday Morning" program recently produced a 4-minute segment about the history of Muffler Men, including those on Route 66, and Joel Baker, who has dedicated years to documenting and preserving them. It also talks about the American Giants Museum that recently opened along old Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois. https://youtu.be/dj_s9C8LBDY?si=60WHPFUd8CC9Ca2A The American … Continue reading ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ takes a closer look at history of Muffler Men, new museum
Report gives more details about the forthcoming American Giants Museum
A recent report in a regional newspaper gave more details about the American Giants Museum that will open next month along Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Illinois. The story of so-called Muffler Men, or fiberglass giants built primarily in the 1960s, will be housed in a former Texaco gas station at 100 SW Arch St. … Continue reading Report gives more details about the forthcoming American Giants Museum
American Giants Museum to hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend
The American Giants Museum along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, will hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend. Those details and others came in a news release Tuesday from the nonprofit Atlanta Betterment Fund, which is helping shepherd the project with museum creator Joel Baker, who for years has been a preservation advocate and … Continue reading American Giants Museum to hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend
Several Illinois Route 66 sites get state funds from tourism, transportation programs
Several spots on Route 66 in Illinois were among the 89 that will receive a total of $22.5 million from the state's Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program. Also, several Route 66 sites also received funds from the state's Transportation Enhancement Program. Here are the Route 66-related tourism recipients and the total grant: $25,187 to … Continue reading Several Illinois Route 66 sites get state funds from tourism, transportation programs
American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois
Joel Baker, a Muffler Man aficionado who has created a website and documentary shorts about his obsession, announced this week he is planning an American Giants Museum site along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, The museum will be almost directly across the street from the Bunyan Giant Muffler Man in downtown that once stood along … Continue reading American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois