Atlanta in Logan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Bunyon Giant

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 5, 2025

1. The Bunyon Giant Marker

Inscription.

The Bunyon Giant. . In the 20th century, road travel became the predominant means of going from point a to point b. With the increase of cars on the road, “attention getters,” items attracting the attention of passengers and drivers with the intended result being to stop, reigned supreme. One set of “attention getters” known as the fiberglass “Muffler Men” surged in popularity in the 1960s. , International Fiberglass located in Venice, California, popularized the Bunyan fiberglass giants in the 1960s. Despite the hands created to hold axes, most never did. The Bunyan giant in front of you was intended for a client in Sacramento. However, the sale fell through and H.A. Stephens flew to Venice to purchase the giant for approximately $1900. , Stephens purchased the giant in 3 parts, the 4th part, the hot dog, was created after the original purchase for Stephens. The purpose of the giant? To be an “attention getter” for Bunyon's, Stephens' hot dog and food stand built by himself in Cicero, Illinois. Stephens used the name Bunyon's, changing the “a” to an “o”, to avoid potential copyright infringement from the Paul Bunyan Cafe in Arizona. , The “Bunyon Giant” stood on top of Bunyon's in Cicero until a city ordinance required the statue to be moved off the roof, when he then moved to the front door. When Bunyon's closed in 2002, the new building owner did not want the giant. John and Lenore Weiss of Illinois Route 66 Association proposed to the Stephens family to keep this icon on Route 66, it was successful. , The Bunyon Giant resides in Atlanta, on loan from the Stephens family, right on Route 66. , Captions , Left column, top to bottom , . Credit: RoadsideAmericana.com , . Opening day, January 8, 1966; Photo credit: John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee , . Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, October 2022; Photo credit: Andy Sahn , Center, top row , . March 2003, moving Bunyon Giant; Photo credit: John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee , . November 2003, installation of the Bunyon Giant in Atlanta; Photo credit: Atlanta Public Library and Museum , Center, bottom row , . March 2003, moving Bunyon Giant; Photo credit: John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee , . November 2003, installation of the Bunyon Giant in Atlanta; Photo credit: Atlanta Public Library and Museum , Right column, top to bottom , . Bunyon's, 2003; Photo credit: John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee , . H.A. Stephens dedicating the giant in Atlanta, June 2004; Photo credit: John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee

In the 20th century, road travel became the predominant means of going from point a to point b. With the increase of cars on the road, “attention getters,” items attracting the attention of passengers and drivers with the intended result being to stop, reigned supreme. One set of “attention getters” known as the fiberglass “Muffler Men” surged in popularity in the 1960s.

International Fiberglass located in Venice, California, popularized the Bunyan fiberglass giants in the 1960s. Despite the hands created to hold axes, most never did. The Bunyan giant in front of you was intended for a client in Sacramento. However, the sale fell through and H.A. Stephens flew to Venice to purchase the giant for approximately $1900.

Stephens purchased the giant in 3 parts, the 4th part, the hot dog, was created after the original purchase for Stephens. The purpose of the giant? To be an “attention getter” for Bunyon's, Stephens' hot dog and food stand built by himself in Cicero, Illinois. Stephens used the name Bunyon's, changing the “a” to an “o”, to avoid potential copyright infringement from the Paul Bunyan Cafe in Arizona.

The “Bunyon Giant” stood on top of Bunyon's in Cicero until a city ordinance required the statue to be moved off the roof, when he then moved to the front door. When Bunyon's closed in 2002, the

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new building owner did not want the giant. John and Lenore Weiss of Illinois Route 66 Association proposed to the Stephens family to keep this icon on Route 66, it was successful.

The Bunyon Giant resides in Atlanta, on loan from the Stephens family, right on Route 66.

Captions
Left column, top to bottom
• Credit: RoadsideAmericana.com
• Opening day, January 8, 1966; Photo credit: John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee
• Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, October 2022; Photo credit: Andy Sahn
Center, top row
• March 2003, moving Bunyon Giant; Photo credit: John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee
• November 2003, installation of the Bunyon Giant in Atlanta; Photo credit: Atlanta Public Library and Museum
Center, bottom row
• March 2003, moving Bunyon Giant; Photo credit: John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee
• November 2003, installation of the Bunyon Giant in Atlanta; Photo credit: Atlanta Public Library and Museum
Right column, top to bottom
• Bunyon's, 2003; Photo credit: John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee
• H.A. Stephens dedicating the giant in Atlanta, June 2004; Photo credit:

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 5, 2025

2. The Bunyon Giant Marker

John Weiss, chairman of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Committee

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2002.

Location. 40° 15.651′ N, 89° 13.886′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Illinois, in Logan County. It is on Southwest Arch Street west of Southeast Vine Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 SW Arch St, Atlanta IL 61723, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois

and in Greater Springfield.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Palms Grill Café" Mural (a few steps from this marker); "Wisteria Café" Mural (a few steps from this marker); "Wide Awakes" March in Atlanta (a few steps from this marker); September 11 Eagle (within shouting distance of this marker); Midway on Illinois's Mother Road Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Knights of Pythias "Memorial Tree" Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Field Marker Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); "Reisch Beer" Mural (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Other markers no longer nearby. Bunyon's Statue (was here, next to this

The Bunyon Giant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 5, 2025

3. The Bunyon Giant

marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); "Atlanta: Midway on Illinois' Mother Road" Mural (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Welcome to the Atlanta Route 66 Park (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Knights of Pythias "Memorial Tree" Stone (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Field Marker Stone (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Hot Dog Muffler Man. Roadside America website entry (Submitted on March 30, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.