The mayor and town council of the town of Atlanta, IL, are debating the virtues of acquiring Cicero's Hot Dog Muffler Man as the centerpiece of a Route 66 park. As reported earlier by Roadsideamerica.com, the Bunyon's hot dog establishment was sold in January, leaving the fate of the unique Bunyan holding a wiener uncertain. A plan for a Rt. 66 museum in Joliet to acquire the statue failed.

Atlanta's mayor, Bill Martin, believes the statue will help promote the town's connection to the legacy of Route 66 and increase tourism. We completely agree, and a few signs on the outskirts of town touting the "New Home of the Hot Dog Muffler Man" certainly won't hurt.

But the mayor may have a battle on his hands with more fossilized factions of town leaders, who fret about aesthetics, or don't get the appeal of a giant fiberglass man. [03/30/2003]

November 26, 2009