The Hidden Muffler Men Of Rocky Mount

I think it was the guys over at American Giants that told us about the muffler men.

In the past, we had visited the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox muffler men outside the Original Log Cabin Homes in Rocky Mount. According to American Giants, Original Log Cabin Homes had three additional Paul Bunyan muffler man, tucked away in a warehouse, waiting for their moment in the sun.

We had to check them out! After a few emails, Original Log Cabin Homes President Tom Vesce, who is rumored to have more than a passing resemblance to the Paul Bunyan muffler man, agreed to let us tour the warehouse and photograph the three Paul Bunyan muffler men his company has in storage.

Paul Bunyan Muffler Man #1

Vesce bought his first muffler man (the one currently standing next to Babe The Blue Ox) twenty years ago as a way to draw potential customers to his business. He purchased it after seeing it for sale on Roadside America.

Paul Bunyan Muffler Man #1

Vesce plans to eventually have a muffler man at every Original Log Cabin Homes location.

Paul Bunyan Muffler Man #2

This Paul Bunyan muffler man is distinct because he has a bowling ball in his right hand. At one time he could be found outside the Paul Bunyan Sports Bar & Grill in Baxter, Minnesota.

Paul Bunyan Muffler Man #2

But this Paul Bunyan used to have a friend: Babe the Blue Ox stood next to him at the Paul Bunyan Sports Bar & Grill.

Paul Bunyan Muffler Man #2

Soon after closing the Paul Bunyan Sports Bar & Grill in July of 2011, owner Don McFarland auctioned off Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Tom Vesce was the high bidder and had Babe placed beside his first Paul Bunyan muffler man in Rocky Mount and put Babe's original friend in storage.

Paul Bunyan Muffler Man #3

Tom Vesce's third hidden Paul Bunyan muffler man won't be hidden for much longer: within 60 days, this Paul Bunyan should be watching traffic on I-95 on Dozier Road in Rocky Mount. He will hang from a 100-foot crane which will sit on a licensed flatbed trailer. He has a few cracks in his butt that need to be fixed, but after that he'll be good to go! When erected, he'll have a flag pole in his hands, flying the American flag.