It was a total TV moment: I had my head down looking at the dot on the digital map, telling Retro Roadhusband we were getting close to the legendary “Farnham Colossi” when he suddenly pulled into someone’s driveway and said, “Do you think this is it?” 
Um yeah, I think this is it!
As if we had any lingering doubts when we saw we were beimg welcomed onto the property by a Boo Boo bear, a Ranger, a Cindy Bear, and a Santa Claus, we knew we had to be in the right place!
We didn’t immediately see owner and collector George Farnham, but we had called and left a message about our visit, in case he saw us roaming around the property. (Speaking to him later, he said he gets folks roaming around all the time. Still, I think it’s polite to call, so if you visit, please do so!)
Now if you’ve been paying attention to the “How to Identify a Muffler Man” page on Roadside America you’d be correct in noting that the crowned gent that looks like he’s going to drop a muffler on lil ol me is indeed a real Muffler Man. And his bikini-clad counterpart is a Muffler… Ma’am? Kidding! She’s a Uniroyal Gal.
(Rounding out our welcoming committee is “Brian Wilson” a 25′ tall surfer dude who came originally from an amusement park in upstate New York, and “Big John the Grocery Guy”.)
So, what’s the deal with these (and the very many other) gigantic statues decorating the 7 acre homesite of this retired DC Lawyer and his wife Pam? Well, we all know how it goes – you buy one thing, then you buy another, then voila! A collection grows! And it doesn’t hurt to live in a place with very few zoning restrictions. So their yard is decorated with everything from flamingos in a tree to the Simpsons on a roller coaster.
But if I showed you photos of that stuff, you may think you’ve seen it all and not bother visiting – and we can’t have that! So these few photos and the map below should be just what you need to get you on the back roads of West Virginia like Retro Roadhusband and I did. Nothing like experiencing the wonder of the wacky road for yourself!
Now, a word about that wacky road – the Farnham’s farm is just over the VA / WV border, and comes up sooner than you think after a big curve if you’re heading there from the south. I found that putting the address into Google Maps put the pin down much further north than where they are (hence my surprise at our arrival) so I’ve made sure that the pin on the Retro Roadmap of West Virginia shows exactly where they are.
I’ve gotta send out thanks to folks like George and Pam – for making the roadside a fun place to be for all of us!
Muffler Men Collection of George and Pam Farnham aka “The Farnham Colossi”
14633 Winchester Grade Rd
Unger, WV 25411
304-258-5977
View WV – West Virginia Retro RoadMAP in a larger map
About Mod Betty
Helium Design
There we were, minding our own business, driving along a WV country road on a weekend when we were celebrating our wedding anniversary with a stay at a country cabin, when suddenly we were GOBSMACKED to see these colossi in this dude’s front yard!!! I love that collection, thanks for the story behind it Mod Betty!
GOBSMACKED is the perfect description of how we felt too, especially when we were surprised to come up on it so unexpectedly. So glad you have such a neat memory associated with seeing them – it reminds us of a fun weekend away as well. And I have to give Kudos to the folks at Roadside America for giving the full in-depth reporter version of the collection. They’re tops at that type of thing!
On my itinerary the day after after Sines!
Sounds like you’ve got a fun trip planned! Great minds think alike
Oh, you posted the additional pictures today. They’re great, Betty.
Thanks Matt- I ‘ve got loads more, but figure if I show ‘em maybe people won’t want to explore for themselves, and that’s what I try to encourage!
Well, that does it!! The whole family–including the nine-year-old–fell so in love with the Kool Wink that we just have to go back… and now we learn about this great roadside stop practically right next door!! I can’t believe we missed it!
Jackie! So you and your fam stayed at the Koolwink? LOVE IT when the littles are exposed to and hopefully grow to appreciate the cool old retro vintage things and places. They must seem practically prehistoric to them
Yes, we visited the Farhnam Colossi on our “Koolwinkend” and it was about an hour away. Winding back roads, but the weather and scenery were beautiful! We also made a quick detour to Berkeley Springs to try the water and while we didn’t spend enough time there for me to properly Retro Roadmap it, if it’s on your route, definitely stop by.
yay!
There is no better vacation spot nor a vacation than a west virginia vacation! It is very evident that Mod Betty had a great time during his trip. Their is so much to do and explore in WV. great post!
My Dear Retro Roadmap Readers –
In an effort to reduce comment spam by bots on my site, I’ve closed the comments on this post.
But the last thing I want to see happen is that it stops the conversation on this topic, especially if you have something you want to add!
So if you want to comment on this post all you have to do is email me at modbetty AT retroroadmap DOT com and let me know what you want to say and what post it goes with. I’ll make sure your info gets matched up and added to the conversation!
Thanks for understanding!
Your hostess, Mod Betty