UPDATE December 2011: The Big Indian Shop has now changed its name to “Native Views – With special respect for Native American people, and inclusive of Native peoples’ creations, we also offer local and other American made art and products.” so I’m not sure whoopee cushions and faux handcuffs are still available. The Indian is still there, though!
What right minded retro roadside attraction loving person would dare pass by this wonderful and colorful souvenir shop on Route 2 in Shelburne Falls, MA?
This has been my favorite ticky tacky gift shop along the Mohawk Trail for easily 15 years. I sometimes dream of winning the lottery, buying the place and turning the adjacent field into a fiberglass petting zoo for all of the roadside giants that have been neglected for years. Looking over them of course, and providing a wonderful photo op in the meantime, would be the Big Indian himself.
Rumored to be between 20-28 feet high, we learn (thanks to that goddess of the roadside, Debra Jane Seltzer) that he was created by Rodman Shutt who created many other giants- click here to read her details of how this one man shaped our giant roadside delights!
As you are learning I can never resist poking into a gift shop in the hopes of finding something truly wonderful and tacky to help me remember my visit. As you can see from this interior shot, I had plenty to choose from:
And at least ONE Retro Roadkid found something she liked 
When I asked the gal behind the counter how long the shop had been around, she didn’t really know, but said it had been there “for a long time”. She did share that it had been under new ownership for just a little under a year, and that the current owner bought it back in the 1970′s from the folks who originally opened it.
Why the Indian theme, you may ask? Well Route 2 is also known as The Mohawk Trail, which was a Native American trade route connecting tribes all the way up to Upstate New York (obviously before it was Upstate New York!) The Mohawk Trail is now part of Route 2 which was created as one of the country’s first scenic highways, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
We came out of here with more silly gifts that we could think of, but what better way to support these roadside treasures than loading up on cedar gifts and vintage post cards? My idea of fun for sure!
There are plenty more photos of the kitschy fun found inside the Big Indian Shop on the Retro Roadmap Flickr Page – check ‘em out!
The Big Indian Shop
2217 Mohawk Trail
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
413-625-2333
View MA – Massachusetts Retro RoadMAP in a larger map
Love this place!
And.. route 2 from North Adams to here is a great motorcycle road as well. I give this post 4 tomahawks!
It is indeed a great road trip road, no matter what your mode of transport. Always glad the motorcycle folks dig the road trips!
So many tacky vintage gift shops, so little time! I’m there!
Gunnar, you’re my kinda traveler!
Whoopee Cushions and handcuffs- gotta love it!
Something for everybody!
We have new management and vision for The Big Indian Shop on the Mohawk Trail here in Massachusetts. Number one: respect for Native Americans– also to include their art and handiwork. To respect all peoples and to include local products and art. Come see us as we continue the process of change here.
Eileen – love your mission, and best of luck! We’d love to see the Big
Indian shop continue to be a Mohawk Trail landmark for years to come.
Please don’t eliminate all of the wonderfully tacky souvenirs and fabulous
signs on the outside of the building that some of us love so much, however – it
wouldn’t be a fun Retro Roadmap destination without those things!
If you are planning on eliminating the signage or anything else “Retro
Roadside Destination Related” please do let me know – I’d love to be able
to help them find them a good home. Though I know you’d never get rid of
the giant indian – he’s too good of a marketing gimmick to lose!
Enjoy the fall foliage in Western Mass, we’ll try to stop by to see you
next time we’re in the area.