Skip to Main Content

Irving, New York: Big Chief: Smoke Shop Muffler Man

Stands tall, his upraised hand turned palm up, as if to wonder: "Rain?" The chief is at the entrance to the Big Indian Smoke Shop, home of the World's Largest Cigar Humidor.

Big Indian Smoke Shop

Address:
597 Milestrip Rd, Irving, NY
Directions:
Outside of the Big Indian Smoke Shop. I-90 exit 58, west toward Irving. Turn right onto Hwy 5/US 20, then immediately bear right onto US 20 when Hwy 5 splits off. Make the next right onto Milestrip Rd. The shop is on the right.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Big Chief: Smoke Shop Muffler Man

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

Muffler man - Indian Chief

The description of the Indian Chief is mostly correct. He was the symbol of the Iroquois Brewery, but he was on the roof of the brewery in Jamestown, not Buffalo. We'd pass by him occasionally on our way to our grandparents. One of the highlights of the hour-long trip was to see where the arrows might be each time (It seems that someone would place a few arrows in different places on the statue). He was part of an auction during the 1970s. The Indian Chief's whereabouts were a mystery for a few years until he was spotted in several front yards throughout the county. About 20 years ago he was purchased and placed at his current spot, within the Seneca Nation, near Irving.

[gewurz, 10/28/2012]
Indian Chief

The Indian Chief, gone from East Avon, is now visible off the NYS Thruway south of Buffalo. Im not exactly sure of the name of the location. Legend has it the Indian originally stood upon the roof of the Iroquois Beer factory in Buffalo NY. Its outstetched hand reportedly was turned 180 degrees with a beer can perched on it.

[Jared C., 03/02/2003]

He has stood these many moons, along with another Indian Muffler Man, at the Big Indian Smoke Shop, Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, in Irving.

Big Indian "Kool" With Seneca Nation

In an advertisement placed in hundreds of Sunday papers, The Seneca Nation gives a thumbs-up to the image of a fiberglass "how-posing" big Indian as a means to sell its state tax-free cigarettes. You can order yours at bigindian.com....

[07/28/2002] Complete News Story

Muffler Man - Indian Chief

The big chief "Muffler" Indian of East Avon was sold at auction last week (for $18,000). It had been out in front of a garden supply store which went out of business. It was bought by an actual native American, someone, I think, from the Seneca Nation, who was reportedly going to use it to draw customers into his cigarette/gasoline shop on the rez.

[Claire Marziotti and Kerry Regan, 08/02/1998]

Muffler Man Noble Savage.

Indian Chief

In western New York State, intersection of Route 15 and Routes 5 & 20 is Seneca Pottery Garden Center. The Noble Savage Chief has greeted gardeners for the past 40 years. He's in very nice shape; too bad I couldn't get the feet in the photo (covered by the plants); the shoes have nice molded "X" laces, and are painted a light gold/tan color.

[Richard Inzero, 05/01/1998]

This "Noble Savage" Muffler Man has been reported as sold at recent auction to a Native American, who promptly moved him up to a souvenir store on the reservation.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Big Chief: Interstate Muffler ManBig Chief: Interstate Muffler Man, Irving, NY - < 1 mi.
Statue of SkywomanStatue of Skywoman, Irving, NY - < 1 mi.
Mark Cline Muffler Man: Mark Cline Muffler Man: "George", Derby, NY - 10 mi.
In the region:
Upside Down House, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada - 36 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

New York Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Easter Island Moai in America (Mar 25-31, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights