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Lake Ozark, Missouri: Chief Bagnell and Country Bumpkin: Muffler Men

Chief Bagnell, formerly known as "Injun Joe," was successfully restored and returned to his old spot on Aug. 13, 2016. Country Bumpkin was shipped out for restoration, may return mid-2021.

Address:
1482 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Lake Ozark, MO
Directions:
Injun Joe stands on the northbound side of Bagnell Dam Blvd/Business US Hwy 54 at the intersection of School Rd. In front of Two Bit Town, and across the highway from Dogpatch.
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Chief Bagnell and Country Bumpkin: Muffler Men

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Indian Muffler Man.

Injun Joe Muffler Man

Kinda cool. Why is it called a muffler man?

[Mike Disher, 02/20/2020]

See "How to Identify Muffler Men." -- our classifications. The Indian version is perhaps the most distant from the baseline service station giant holding a big car muffler. The figure shares the pants/legs/shoe molds which originated at International Fiberglass, font of most 1960s-vintage Muffler Men.

Indian statue.

Indian Chief Muffler Man

After standing at the lake for 45 years the Chief was taken down in January of 2016. American Giants got him in March and did a five month restoration. They sanded him back down to the gel coat, fixed all his cracks and holes, then primed and repainted him using auto paint that will last for many years. All his fine details were airbrushed on and he was delivered back to the strip on it's 50th anniversary.

He is now standing on the strip once again, looking pretty sharp with his new paint job. Big thank you to Iguana Group for rescuing him and having him restored. This Chief also has the full support and love of the local community, who also hope to see the Halfwit restored and returned soon.

[Joel Baker, 08/24/2016]

Muffler Man Indian.

Big Indian (sidekick Happy Halfwit gone)

The Happy Halfwit is gone, and so is the park.

[John Luther, 07/16/2014]
Muffler Man Halfwit

Cruised through Lake Ozark a few weeks ago on a trip and noticed that the Halfwit that used to stand in front of what was known for years as "Dogpatch" had left town. Not sure when he departed, but I did see him during Fall of last year. Still a few shops and an arcade behind him that are open. The good news is that the Indian across the street is still there, greeting visitors.

[Rob, 04/23/2014]
Big Indian and Happy Halfwit

Drove through this crazy little lake town. Indian is still there, not looking too well-kept. Didn't see Halfwit. Maybe gone? [Bryan, 05/24/2013]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Cup Tree and Shoe FenceCup Tree and Shoe Fence, Gravois Mills, MO - 13 mi.
Bridal CaveBridal Cave, Camdenton, MO - 15 mi.
Ruins of Ha Ha TonkaRuins of Ha Ha Tonka, Camdenton, MO - 17 mi.
In the region:
I Love Lucy Car, Phillipsburg, MO - 45 mi.

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