Atlanta in Logan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Phillips 66 Cowboy Giant
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 16, 2026
1. Phillips 66 Cowboy Giant Marker
This giant was first located at Wades 66 service station just south of Macon, GA off exit 155. He was a part of the Phillips 66 "The Gasoline That Won the West" mid-1960s ad campaign.
Next came a stint as "Mr. Finance Giant" at C&L Motor Company in Macon, followed by time spent in front of the Silverco rent-to-own appliance store in Warner Robins, GA. Through a reshaping of his cowboy hat, the giant was then transformed into the "Captain" - so he could help with sales at "Captain's Car Dealership" and later at "Anchors Sales". When the latter closed, the giant was hauled off to the woods and generally forgotten.
In 2011, Joel Baker came upon a photo of the Captain Muffler Man taken by Lara Floyd in the mid-1990s, and the quest to locate the giant began. Thaks to some legendary detective work by Dave Distler, who happened to view a 2024 Facebook post by Baker seeking the whereabouts of this seemingly long-lost giant, the Captain Muffler Man was, at long last, discovered.
(photo caption:)
Abandoned in the backwoods of Georgia for roughly 26 years, this Cowboy giant was installed at the American Giants Museum in May 2025.
Erected 2025 by American Giants Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. 40° 15.653′ N, 89° 13.839′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Illinois, in Logan County. It is at the intersection of Southwest Arch Street and Southeast Vine Street, on the right when traveling north on Southwest Arch Street. Marker is outside the American Giants Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 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: Viking Carpet Giant (here, next to this marker); Snerd Giant (here, next to this marker); The Biggest Friend Your Car Will Ever Have! (within shouting distance of this marker); September 11 Eagle (within shouting distance of this marker); "Reisch Beer" Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); "Wide Awakes" March in Atlanta (within shouting distance of this marker); "Wisteria Cafι" Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bunyon Giant (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.
Also see . . . American Giants Museum (official website). (Submitted on February 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 16, 2026
2. Phillips 66 Cowboy Giant Marker
close-up of marker and statue
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 16, 2026
3. Phillips 66 Cowboy Giant Marker
Marker and Muffler Man statue are outside the American Giants Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 60 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
