Lumberjack Muffler Man - Outside: World's First?
Flagstaff, Arizona
Type: Bunyan (20 ft. tall)
Arm position: Standard
Accessories: Double-sided Ax
Two fiberglass Muffler Men tower on the grounds on Northern Arizona University. The pair of Paul Bunyans originally stood outside Flagstaff's Lumberjack Cafe, but were given to the University's Lumberjack Stadium in the late 1970s when the restaurant got new owners who renamed it Granny's Closet. They now stand at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. This Bunyan stands just outside the entrance to the stadium where the Lumberjacks play (the other is inside the Skydome).
The big guy was reportedly beheaded in February 2004, but he looks perfect now, lurking somewhat menacingly behind trees with his double-sided ax.
This particular statue may very well be the world's first Muffler Man, created by Bob Prewitt in 1962 for Flagstaff's Paul Bunyan Cafe (later renamed the Lumberjack Cafe when its owners learned that Paul Bunyan's name was copyrighted). With his shirt painted red, he was briefly seen in the 1960s counterculture film Easy Rider.