Museum of Clean’s not so hidden gem

For those old enough to remember, Muffler Men stood outside of restaurants and gas stations all over the nation. The molds were made in a variety of shapes and sizes, standing 14-25 ft tall.

Most stood as lumberjacks, cowboys or Native Americans, but one now stands in Pocatello as something completely different.

“Big Don,” the world largest janitor, stands, slightly hidden, in the Museum of Clean’s lobby.

Purchased in Nov. 2016 by museum director Brad Kisling, it’s stood as a janitor since January of the following year.

Muffler Men have become quite rare since their heyday in the ’60s and ’70s. Now roadside attractions, people travel the nation seeking them out.

That’s actually what inspired Kisling to find one.

A few years back, someone visited the museum on their way to go see one. Kisling was inspired and began searching for one online almost immediately.

“Luckily, I just found one on craigslist, which was really weird, up in Montana,” Kisling explained.

The museum then had to move the 20 foot, nearly 400 pound, fiberglass cowboy down to Pocatello.

Nearly two years have passed since “Don” was first stood up in Pocatello and Kisling says that Pocatellans should be proud.

“In fact, I think people should say, instead of saying they’re from Pocatello, they should say, “I live at the home of the world largest janitor, Big Don.””