March 24, 2009

Big Indians as roadside art

Some "found" roadside art found by Jim Hejl:

"Big People" SectionNow I've been going to Minneapolis on a regular basis. At least once a month for the past 3 years. I had my eye on this Big Guy for a couple of years but never got the chance to grab the photo. Now I've got it. Outside the Thunderbird Motel off I-494.

Houghton Lake, MI in front of Zubler's Indian Village on M-55. They have simulated Indian Pow-Wows twice a day at 10am and 2pm.

Here's another Indian. This one has seen better days, check out the fence. Found it (while working, ha ha!) on the way from Modesto to San Jose in California.
Comment:  These roadside Indian representations are stereotypical, of course. No matter where they're located, they're inevitably Plains chiefs or warriors.

For more on the subject, see Roadside Indian Stereotypes. For a better series of statues, see Trail of Whispering Giants.

1 comment:

dmarks said...

I did a double-take when I saw the Houghton Lake chief looming over the state highway a few weeks ago. I hope to get some pictures of him and his tipi town some day.