Giant Cowboy

The Giant Cowboy started his life in 1965 as The Mecca Cowboy and stood outside Poor Richard’s Pawn Shop and Mini Mart in Mecca, near The Salton Sea.

Fast forward to 2017, the happy day Glen Steigelman and Steve Halterman found The Mecca Cowboy at The Yucca Valley Swap Meet. He was in bad shape, decapitated, with his head lying by his side (ouch)

The Mecca Cowboy was restored, given a new home at The Station, and a new name, Big Josh. (The Station is a restored former Richfield Gas Station built in 1949)

20 foot tall Big Josh now sits right on the highway and has once again become a popular roadside attraction.

He even has costume changes now and then - he holds a giant wreath at Christmas, a rainbow flag during pride, and is wearing a bandana as a facemask during covid.

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Southern California #58 - last visited June 3rd, 2022