The story of the American Giants Museum.
The Atlanta Betterment Fund organization is providing a home for the American Giants Museum in the City of Atlanta, Illinois. The new, one-of-a-kind experience is located at the corner of Arch & Vine Streets, on a 1926 alignment of Route 66 in downtown Atlanta.
The American Giants Museum tells the story of the kitschy and quirky “Muffler Man/Bunyan Giant” statues that sprang up in the 1960s as advertising gimmicks across the USA. Today, they are some of the most popular attractions for tourists traveling Historic Route 66.
The Atlanta Betterment Fund is working with Joel Baker, the nation’s leading authority of – and advocate for – the identification, preservation, and restoration of the giant fiberglass statues produced in the 1960s by International Fiberglass Company, once located in Venice, California.
Harry Littlefield, Stephen Tompkins, and Woody Franklin, Ragland Buildings construction crew, stand in front of the American Giants Museum they had just completed in October 2022.
Baker visited Atlanta a number of years ago while documenting the Bunyan Giant located there on Arch St. As a result, he approached the Atlanta Betterment Fund with the idea of creating an American Giants Museum. Baker’s collection of original molds, materials, files, photos, and documents from International Fiberglass are the basis for the museum’s exhibits, giving Route 66 tourists the chance to see, learn about, and interact with the largest single collection of American Giants anywhere along Route 66.
The American Giants Museum building was constructed the first week of October 2022. Interior and exterior finishing has progressed throughout the winter months. The museum building resembles a vintage Texaco service station, because a “Texaco Big Friend” giant will be one of the featured exterior exhibits. The Texaco Big Friend is 24’ tall. Up to five additional giant statues, each approximately 19’ tall, will also be displayed on the museum grounds. The Museum’s interior will include exhibit space, a public restroom, and storage space for rotating exhibits.
Bill Thomas [L], with the Atlanta Betterment Fund and Joel Baker [R], founder of American Giants meet for the first time at the feet of Atlanta’s Bunyon Giant.
The American Giants Museum has the potential for increasing tourist and tour group visits to Atlanta, inspiring the Atlanta Betterment Fund to establish the Museum on this stretch of Route 66. The City anticipates additional visitors will translate into economic growth for the community and local businesses.
The Atlanta Betterment Fund is a 501 (c)(3) organization, established in 2008 through private donations and administered by a board of directors. Its mission is to make Atlanta a better place to live, by supporting its business, civic and religious organizations.
Stan Cain [L], shown here consulting with Bill Thomas [R] of the Atlanta Betterment Fund, provided architectural services to the design of the American Giants Museum and the layout of the Route 66 Land of the Giants Rest Stop area.