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Big Johnson.

Muffler Man: Cowboy Big John

Field review by the editors.

Prescott, Arizona

Type: Cowboy (22 ft. tall)

Arm position: standard

Accessories: none

Note: When the street was redone by the city of Prescott, it raised the surrounding surface by a foot. But in order to "grandfather" Big Johnson and protect him from restrictive sign ordinances, the owners left him standing in a hole.

The story from Bert Johnson

"'Big Johnson' is owned by my father.

"Originally this muffler man belonged to [Phillips 66]. They used it throughout all of northern Arizona to open new gas stations. He used to have a rifle in his hands before Texaco decided that was a little too politically incorrect -- even in the wild west of Arizona!

Wacky fan and Big Johnson.
The "Deep Focus" trick pulled on Big Johnson. Note how BJ is standing in a hole....

"My father bought him in the early 1970s. Big Johnson has been in front of his realty office ever since. Throughout the years he has provided a photographic background for many tourists and residents, has had a fresh shirt and pair of pants applied (usually every 3 or 4 years) and has been the target of several teenage pranks (the most damaging being arrows shot through the fiberglass body). He has become one of Prescott's most loved landmarks.

"My siblings and I have grown over the years and have moved from home. Often we meet people that have been to Prescott. One of our first questions is if they have ever seen the 20+ foot cowboy. Almost always the answer is a resounding "yes" as their eyes light up with the memory of seeing that cowboy for the first time! He has been the cause of turning a frequent acquaintance into a lifelong friend. As far as I'm concerned, he'll always be the 'silent' member of our family..."

Big Johnson remains in the same spot, but subsequently repped a store for gamers, holding a hand of magic cards. Now he's been further altered into "Big John," and holds a trowel and a piece of hardwood flooring.

Also see: Muffler Men Home Page

Muffler Man: Cowboy Big John

Address:
947 Fair St., Prescott, AZ
Directions:
From downtown Prescott: Take Gurley St. west to Grove St. Turn right onto Grove and drive 1 mi. to Fair St. Turn left on Fair and it's on left side (across from Fry's supermarket).
Phone:
928-445-5900
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Nixon Tuberculosis HomeNixon Tuberculosis Home, Prescott, AZ - 1 mi.
Big Pioneer Woman Holds Headless RattlesnakeBig Pioneer Woman Holds Headless Rattlesnake, Prescott Valley, AZ - 9 mi.
Gold King Mine Museum - Old West JunkyardGold King Mine Museum - Old West Junkyard, Jerome, AZ - 24 mi.
In the region:
Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum, Williams, AZ - 51 mi.

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