Evansville, Indiana: Giant Santa
35 feet tall, formerly welcomed all good boys and good girls to a truck stop (demolished). Abandoned, then saved, fully restored, and set up in a new location in September 2016.
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The giant Santa statue that is currently being repaired was an advertisement for the former Santa Claus Land -- now Holiday World amusement park -- in Santa Claus, Indiana. There used to be two. One stood at a service station, motel, and restaurant known as "Grumpy's" by the locals. I know this because I trimmed the grass. Grumpy's was opened by my dad in the early 1970s.
[John B Reid, 02/18/2016]It saddens me to report that the giant Santa no longer greets motorists from this location. I'm not sure where he went, but only a pile of debris from what seems to be a demolished building remains where the Jolly Old Elf once stood so proudly.
[Faye Travis, 03/19/2012]
The world's ugliest Santa statue stands as a monument to the past, while acquiring fecal stains from birds nesting on his red cap. The grass is growing higher around the statue, as many other buildings and structures rot into the ground. There is also a cool motel sign adjacent to the Santa.
Still accessible, but I had the feeling I was being watched by some form of security.
[S. Greenwood, 09/15/2010]
Please write to the chamber of commerce to keep SANTA! This is an important landmark for many generations of my family. KEEP HIM UP THERE PLEASE!!
Last time I was there, there were chains and signs saying to keep of the entire property. This is a sad sign that maybe they are going to demolish the whole area, including Santa.
[Emily A., 10/01/2008]
Giant Santa is still in place and looking as quirky as ever....
[Judy Graves, 07/19/2007][Previous 5 items] Page of 3 [Next 2 items]
Giant Santa
- Address:
- 11812 US Hwy 41, Evansville, IN
- Directions:
- On the southbound side of US Hwy 41, at its intersection of Old State Rd, 7.5 miles north of downtown Evansville.
- Hours:
- Lit at night. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Admission:
- Free
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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We made a quick stop in August, and the area immediately around Santa didn't look too likely to survive in its present form. The statue may be too much of a monstrosity to easily move, though (but perhaps a business in Santa Claus, IN, could re-deploy the jolly fat man?)