Big Boy 'graveyards' become Midwest folklore

It’s Big Boy’s 90th anniversary! While the sight of the rosy-cheeked statue might fill you with nostalgia, there’s also a creepy phenomenon associated with the iconic Michigan restaurant chain. There aren’t as many Big Boy locations as there used to be. Around 20 years ago, “Big Boy graveyards” started showing up, first in Marquette, and then spreading South into Ohio. Hikers stumbled upon dozens of old Big Boy statues from now-closed restaurants stored away, and left to decay. Now these sites have become a unique piece of modern Midwest folklore, and a popular destination for urban explorers.  You can watch more deep dives into Michigan history on Local 4 Live, Monday - Friday from 8-10 a.m. on Local 4 Plus, YouTube, and ClickOnDetroit.com.