State Line Big John is the quintessential roadside attraction. It’s easily accessible and as quirky as can be. And though dozens of drivers encounter the towering statue every day, not many know the story behind it…until now.

As you might have guessed from the name, State Line Big John stands at the Tennessee-Mississippi border, along Highway 61 in Walls, Mississippi.
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These days, the 30-foot statue serves as a mascot for Boom City Fireworks.
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He's even undergone a makeover, ditching his red shirt and blue jeans for a shirt with a Boom City logo, sunglasses, a fedora, and a gold tooth.
David Jones/Google

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However, despite its makeover, the statue can’t escape its past as Big John, the symbol of the Big John grocery chain.
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The stores, and ultimately the statues, are named after the Jimmy Dean song, Big Bad John. Big John supermarkets – and their gargantuan grocer mascots – can still be found today. The statues are not very common, though. According to Roadside America, of the 30 or so initially produced, only eight are publicly accessible.
Oftentimes, Big John statues are confused with the Muffler Man, and it’s not hard to see why. The two look pretty similar.
Leonard J. DeFrancisci/Wikimedia
But thanks to his makeover, State Line Big John won’t have that problem anymore.
Anna Wysocki/Google

Well, what do you think? Are you ready to pay a visit to State Line Big John? Click here for a map to the towering statue.

So, did you know about the State Line Big John Statue in Mississippi? Ever seen it in person? If so, what’d you think? Was it as large as you expected? Tell us!

This isn’t the only quirky roadside stop in the state. Click here for a route to the most unique roadside attractions in the Magnolia State.

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Featured Addresses
State Line Big John, 9199 US-61, Walls, MS 38680, USA