Big John: World's Largest Miner Sign.

Big John: World's Largest Miner Sign

"Big John," the world's largest miner sign, advertises the Iron Mountain Mine tour. He was built in 1962 out of dozens of sheets of two-sided plywood, stands 44 feet high, and weighs a ton. Big John has a big smile and big boots, and carries a miner's pick with the words "underground tours" on its handle. The tiny lightbulb in his miner's helmet turns on when the attraction opens on Memorial Day Weekend, and off when it closes in mid-October.

Big John was completely restored in 2022. During the repainting it was discovered that he's had several different faces over the years. The painters restored it to its 1962 appearance: the face of Eugene Carollo, one of the mine tour's original owners.

Big John: World's Largest Miner Sign

Address:: W4852 US-2, Vulcan, MI
Directions:: On the north side of US-2, nine miles east of Iron Mountain.
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

Nearby Offbeat Places

Iron Mountain Iron Mine Tour, Vulcan, MI - < 1 mi.

Bear Statue, Vulcan, MI - < 1 mi.

Viking Ship, Norway, MI - 3 mi.

In the region:

Indian Old Ish, Ishpeming, MI - 50 mi.

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