Frecs the Miner – Galena, Kansas - Atlas Obscura
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Frecs the Miner is permanently closed.

Frecs the Miner

Galena, Kansas

This statue is an ode to an iconic roadside advertisement popularized during the 1970s.  

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Standing tall and proud. redrenee1 (Atlas Obscura User)
Standing tall and proud. redrenee1 (Atlas Obscura User)
Helping hands in the making. redrenee1 (Atlas Obscura User)
Frecs the Miner
Frecs the Miner
Only the boots are left naynaymasterson (Atlas Obscura User)
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The original alignment of Route 66 in Kansas is relatively small, but holds tons of history and unique places to visit, one example is Frecs the Miner.

Located along the original alignment of Route 66, coming in from Missouri, stands a 19-foot homemade version of a modern muffler man. These large fiberglass statues were once used to advertise businesses and tourist attractions. This 21st-century muffler man was named after the creator’s grandfather, whose nickname was Frecs, short for freckles. He was also a miner who worked across the Tri-State area. 

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Sadly, the statue is no more after an accidental fire in March 2022 destroyed all but its boots. You can see the remains next to the "Cars" movie exhibit. 


roadside attractions statues
Nearby
National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum
4.86 miles
Red Oak Steakhouse
5.79 miles
The Ozark Spooklight
6.84 miles
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