Big Indian.

20-Foot-Tall Indian

For nearly 50 years the most retro photo opportunity on the scenic Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts was this 20-foot-tall Indian. The out-of-place Plains chief was the largest in the state, with a long headdress hanging to the ground. It was created by Rodman Shutt, the same artist who had built a similar, but twice-as-tall 40-foot-high Indian in Maine.

The Indian originally stood in front of the Big Indian Gift Shop, which eventually became Big Indian Plaza, and then, in 2009, "Native and Himalayan Views." Local tribal representatives pressured the new owners to significantly modify the statue, but the owners felt that it should be preserved as is in a more appropriate spot. So in August 2023 it was taken down and trucked to Vinita, Oklahoma, to stand alongside Route 66. Its new owners, who have Cherokee and Delaware ancestry, said that they planned to restore the big chief and give him a good home.

By November 2023 the statue was reported as successfully restored and installed on historic Route 66 in front of the Hi-Way Cafe and Western Motel -- with overwhelmingly positive reactions from locals and travelers.

20-Foot-Tall Indian

Hi-Way Cafe

Address:: 437918 US-60, Vinita, OK
Directions:: Hi-Way Cafe. On the north side of Route 66/US-60, three miles west of downtown Vinita.
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

Nearby Offbeat Places

Big Bill: Muffler Man With Suitcase, Vinita, OK - < 1 mi.

Standing Brave: Giant Indian Chief, Big Cabin, OK - 4 mi.

Crosstar Flag and Tag, Afton, OK - 14 mi.

In the region:

Will Rogers Reads a Newspaper, Claremore, OK - 32 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in Oklahoma

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Oklahoma.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.