Mr. Happy Burger (Closed)
Logansport, IN
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Mr. Happy Burger  was hard to miss on the west side of Logansport. Even if the restaurant happened to be closed when you stopped by, there was still plenty to see. Standing beside the building was a giant fiberglass bull wearing a chef's hat, one of those classic roadside figures that always catches your eye.

The statue immediately reminded me of similar bulls I've come across in Michigan's Irish Hills and parts of Ohio. Whether you were hungry or not, it was the kind of roadside attraction that practically begged you to pull over for a closer look. These oversized fiberglass mascots were once common sights along American highways, but every year there seem to be fewer of them. 10-10

Mr. Happy Burger itself opened at this location in 1972 as the west-side branch of the popular local chain, which got its start in Logansport in 1961. The restaurant became a longtime favorite for burgers, fries, and shakes, serving generations of local families before eventually closing its doors.

Mr. Happy Burger (Closed)
Logansport, IN
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The building has since been converted into a Japanese steakhouse, but fortunately the famous bull wasn't lost. It was relocated to another business in Logansport, where it continues to greet visitors instead of ending up in a landfill. I'm always glad to see roadside icons like this find a new home rather than disappear forever.

UPDATE: Mr. Happy Burger's west-side location closed and the building now houses a Japanese steakhouse. The giant fiberglass bull was preserved and relocated to another business in Logansport, where it can still be seen today. 06-26