Hobo Joe stands at meat-processing plant in Buckeye. Photo Credit: Sam Lowe
BUCKEYE — When he was at the peak of his career, Hobo Joe stood tall and beckoned the hungry to dine at an eatery bearing his name. He was one of several large figures spread across the United States back in the 1950s to advertise the chain. But when the restaurants went out of business, Hobo Joe was left destitute. Many of his fellow greeters were destroyed; this particular one survived scorn and politics.
Marvin Ransdell built the 25-foot fiberglass sculpture for a local restaurant. When he died, it went to his friend Ramon Gillum, who asked that the statue be placed in downtown Buckeye. When his proposal met with stiff opposition from local officials (some sneered that they didn’t want a bum representing their community), Gillum decided to keep it for himself. After getting city permission, he moved it on to his own property, a meat-processing plant on the outskirts of town. It is now only one of two such artworks left in the country.
Now it rises on a pedestal at the east end of Monroe Street and extends a cheerful salute to all who pass by.
People are idiots. Hobo Joe was an Icon and should be treated with respect. I remember Sambo and you can’t find a single statue of him any more because of political Correctness. The country loses a little bit of it’s heritage every time a mascot falls to political correctness and the liberal scumbags who are behind it.