On old Dunes Highway in Gary, Indiana, a 20-plus-foot Frank-N-Stein once held a foamy mug and a chili dog over a little hot-dog stand with big dreams. He vanished in the early 1980s and turned into a local legend—until a modern-day sleuth, Dave Distler, set out to solve the mystery and rebuild him

I’m a sucker for quirky Americana, and few stories capture that spirit like Frank-N-Stein in Gary’s Miller Beach/Aetna corridor. In 1967, local friends launched a hot-dog & root-beer concept and commissioned Indiana artist Richard Kishel to create a towering mascot: a Frankenstein-like figure gripping a frank and a stein. He stood by US-12/20 as a beacon to the dunes-bound weekend crowd.

The look was… unmistakable. So unmistakable that Universal Pictures sent a cease-and-desist. Owners kept their gentle giant by tweaking the details—losing the neck bolts and scar and repainting the skin and suit—so he could stay on duty without stepping on IP toes. That’s the kind of scrappy, small-business ingenuity I love.

In 1982 a severe storm knocked the giant from his perch. For decades, memories swirled and rumors multiplied about where “Frankie” went. Roadside historians could agree on the basics—storm damage, removal—while the rest became folklore.

Enter Dave Distler, a Route 66/American Giants Museum volunteer who decided the legend deserved a proper ending. He organized an online hunt, tracked witnesses, and—within a couple of weeks—pieced together what happened: 

After being taken down, the battered statue briefly reappeared as a gag at a friend’s house, then was hauled to rural property and ultimately destroyed. It’s not the ending any of us wanted, but the truth matters in preservation work.

Okay—here’s the part that makes me grin. Distler didn’t stop with the mystery. He’s recreating a full-size Frank-N-Stein, documenting the build and inviting the community along. Regional outlets have covered the planned resurrection, and Dave’s public Facebook group shares color studies, model tweaks, and progress notes. The goal is to return a faithful, photo-verified replica to the public—ideally somewhere in Northwest Indiana where the original once wowed beach-bound drivers.

I put together a short video that brings Frank-N-Stein’s story to life—from his creation in the 1960s, to the storm that took him down, and now to Dave’s incredible rebuild. You can watch it here:

Follow the project: Frank-N-Stein: Arise from the Ashes (public group) — frequent updates, reference photos, and community Q&A. Frank-N-Stein Arise from the Ashes Facebook Group

Here’s what I’ve found so far:

• Novelty Golf and Games (Lincolnwood, IL) — At the 18th hole, you’ll find a fiberglass Frankenstein head that’s believed to be a copy of the original Frank-N-Stein design. It’s smaller, just a head rather than a full figure, but it keeps the legend alive in a fun mini-golf setting.

The Frankenstein-style fiberglass giant here is actually a Muffler Man that was redesigned and repainted to look like Frankenstein. He still towers over the family fun park today, making him one of the spookiest Muffler Men around.

The name “Frank N Stein” also pops up at unrelated eateries around the country today (fun pun, new businesses), but those are not tied to the 1960s Gary project or its giant.

Roadside giants were the social media of the 1960s—loud, playful, impossible to scroll past. They tell stories about small-town hustle, big imagination, and the golden age of the family road trip. Seeing volunteers, museums, and local journalists rally around these artifacts—whether it’s saving a Uniroyal Gal, repainting a Bunyan, or rebuilding Frank-N-Stein—reminds me why I do what I do: to help keep these stories alive. (If you’re heading down Route 66, the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois is a must-see.)

Stand where the legend stood
Old site of Frank-N-Stein (Gary/Miller Beach area along US-12/20). The building is repurposed; the statue is gone—but you’ll feel the history. 

Haunted Trails (Burbank, IL): Frankenstein-style fiberglass giant on the midway. Great family stop with mini-golf and rides.

Frank-N-Stein: Arise from the Ashes (Facebook group). Watch Dave Distler’s progress, reference photos, and color tests in real time. Facebook Group

• 1967 – Kishel’s Frank-N-Stein installed in Gary; quickly becomes a dune-country landmark.

• Late 1960s–1970s – Cosmetic changes after Universal’s complaint; giant continues service.

• 1982 – Storm damage and removal; years of rumors follow.

• 2024 – A 42-year mystery is publicly untangled; rebuild plans gather steam.

• 2025 – Coverage notes a planned resurrection; Distler documents replica wor

For travelers eager to uncover hidden gems beyond the giants, the Roadside America app is a must-have companion. Packed with over 15,000 quirky attractions—everything from fiberglass giants and gravity hills to atomic cannons and giant chairs—it helps you discover must-see stops along your route or nearby your location .

The app’s “Near Me” feature automatically shows attractions within a 25‑point radius, while the “On Route” function lets you plot pickups targeted to your trip plan It’s free to download (US & Canada), with one region included at $2.99 and full access for $6.99 more; maps, directions, hours, reviews, and even user tips are right at your fingertips. Fans rave, saying it “directed us to a ton [of] cool/weird places” and that “the tips from other travelers are extremely helpful” Whether you’re cruising Route 66 or off-roading through the Midwest, this app ensures you never miss a hidden roadside wonder! Roadside America.

The original Gary Frank-N-Stein didn’t survive the 20th century—but thanks to passionate fans and a persistent rebuilder, the spirit of that grinning, hot-dog-wielding giant is coming back. You’d better believe I’ll be there with my camera when Frankie rises again.