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Paul Bunyan Muffler Man at his Ozzie's job, before the park closed in 2007.
Paul Bunyan Muffler Man at his Ozzie's job, before the park closed in 2007.

Muffler Man - Bunyan

Field review by the editors.

Crystal Lake, Illinois

After a career as a theme park huckster, this Bunyan Muffler Man has retired to a life of gardening.

Sentinel of the greenhouse.
Sentinel of the greenhouse, ~2009-2020.

Unlike most water theme parks, Ozzie Water Park, north of Palatine along US Hwy 12, offered a little diversity (both a Bunyan and an Indian Muffler Man!) -- but apparently not enough to keep it in business. The Bunyan there had been reported brandishing a double-head ax; he was unarmed during our visit in 2005. He stood in a confusing themed playland -- an old west "Blacksmith" shop facade on one side, and a series of basketball hoops set on garishly painted houses on the other.

The Bunyan had no feet. In his right hand a small yellow ball was balanced. Approaching for a closer look, we failed to notice the giant wooden bucket on a platform to our left that had just completed filling to the brim with water.

In 2009, we heard that a Bunyan and an Indian had turned up in Crystal Lake, IL. The Bunyan had a significant paint/makeover, including a facial hair trim to lose the mustache. He stands on cinder blocks (still no feet), but that's our guy.

Also see: Muffler Man Indian

Muffler Man - Bunyan

The Greenhouse of Crystal Lake

Address:
4317 S. Hwy 31, Crystal Lake, IL
Directions:
The Greenhouse of Crystal Lake. Northeast of town, on the west side of Hwy 31 about a mile north of Hwy 176.
Phone:
847-331-8659
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Muffler Man - IndianMuffler Man - Indian, Crystal Lake, IL - < 1 mi.
Castle Replica HomeCastle Replica Home, Fox River Grove, IL - 6 mi.
Groundhog Day B&BGroundhog Day B&B, Woodstock, IL - 9 mi.
In the region:
Baby Face Nelson's Last Gunfight, Barrington, IL - 11 mi.

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