Local Landmark 'Big Chief' Figure One of a Kind

For over three decades, "Big Chief," an approximately 30-foot tall steel and fiberglass Indian landmark, has made his presence known in the Oak Lawn community.

Originally located atop the former Cook County Tobacco Warehouse a few blocks southwest of its current location, Big Chief holds a handful of cigars in his left hand while shading his eyes with the other. The 2,400 pound figure, which has multiple piercings, also wears a feathered headdress and a colorful traditional outfit, and his boot-adorned right foot is perched atop a step.

The landmark is currently located in front of Cardinal Liquor Barn, Inc., after being purchased from its former home in 1998. 

Built by Wisconsin company Creative Display, Big Chief was originally purchased for $14,00 by the Cook County Tobacoo Warehouse. Creative Display is also the company behind the "World's Largest Fish" landmark, which is located in Wisconsin.

When the tobacco store closed, Big Chief was purchased for $10,000 by Jim Shirazi, Cardinal Liquor Barn's then-manager and current owner, according to a Reporter article.

Big Chief was initially purchased for $14,000 by the Cook County Tobacco Warehouse. The design was enlarged from a small mold of Big Chief that was later destroyed as to prevent replication, according to resources.

After the sale was finalized, the matter of moving the larger-than-life figure wasn't the easiest task to accomplish: a flat-bed truck was required to transport Big Chief the short distance to the liquor store's exterior. However, that wasn't the figure's last move. A few years later, in 2001, Big Chief had to be transferred by crane to Cardinal Liquor Barn's expanded location, an online resource indicated.

Big Chief is located in front of Cardinal Liquor Barn, Inc., 9630 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn.