Big Chief -- The evidence mounts
I'm going to have to research the matter and find some pictures of the Big Chief when he still was a Big Chief. He was still there with his politically incorrect feathers, headdress, shield, and his ancient indian gokart when we went to the Dells with Stephen, Daniel, Jesse and Don.
Found it.
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Here's Big Chief and how ("and how" <-- get it?) he probably originally looked back in the 40's and 50's. Back when such things were admired. His hand is raised in typical indian greeting. "How" he is saying. Ah, those were happier days. |
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Then the Big Chief got a job at the go kart track. He's changed coloration to some degree, but still has his feather headdress. Only now he holds up an ancient ceremonial go kart for display. To do this it appears that he must have had some surgical procedure at the right elbow to turn his forearm around. I always wondered about that awkward elbow joint. He's no longer saying "How." Now he's saying "Here! Look at this!" This was the way I remember him originally. I especially like his belt buckle. |
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Then there was the magical transmogrification into a Roman warrior, the Romans today being much less likely to sue the pants off the Dells than the indians. He's still holding up the ancient ceremonial go kart though. And note the addition of the helmet and boots. |
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The Roman warrior got moved around a few times over the years. Once he was even given a shield. I wonder what that came off of? It probably was installed due to complaints about people peeking up his skirt. |
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Here is the Big Chief statue from August 2003, sans shield. Now he's proudly standing in front of his roller coaster, "Zeus," guarding the parking lot I guess. Or at least that space right in front of him. |
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The Big Chief statue today -- September, 2004. Eviscerated, and jammed into the top of the brand new Mt. Olympus theme park entrance. His midsection, his legs, and even his go-kart are gone.
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A mere shell of his former glory. How the mighty have fallen. All that remains of the original "Big Chief" is the name above the Mt. Olympus sign. His right elbow joint is really starting to show signs of the arthritis the years of stress and strain have brought on. |
Incidentally, there's a whole sub-culture that deals with the appearance of these kinds of giant men, women, and animals all across the U.S. They are apparently referred to as "Muffler Men," though I'm not sure why. You can read more about it by clicking to this website. Enjoy. www.RoadsideAmerica.com