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Once characterized as a "World Traveler, Philosopher and Connoisseur of Good Food," Hobo Joe was the frontman for a chain of regional coffee shops that formerly bore his name. All the eateries are gone now, save for a recreation in Cottonwood, so these days Joe is a derelict in both image and occupation. That's partly why he's here now. Just exactly how he got to Buckeye, though, is a bit more complicated. The Hobo Joe's restaurants were a chain of popular diners that were opened in the 1960s, each of which featured a statue of Hobo Joe, much like Big Boy does with their lovable, burger-wielding cherubim. Most of the statues were only about 5 feet tall, though for three locations, larger versions towering about 25 feet were commissioned. Each location shared the same decor and served the same menu, which included items like the Hoboburger. Overall, it was a fun, family dining experience. At least on the surface. |
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Due presumably to the ensuing financial trouble, at least one of the aforementioned giant Joes was never paid for, and therefore never installed, before the chain went out of business. So, Marvin Ransdell, fiberglass expert and the man chosen to fabricate the larger statues, kept Joe for himself and installed the big man atop his swimming-pool business. Unfortunately, Ransdell later had financial trouble himself and lost his property. So, he asked his friends Ramon and Helen Gillum to store his equipment temporarily next to their Buckeye slaughterhouse. Ransdell didn't have the money to save Joe, but Ramon liked the statue so much, he insisted on paying for the transportation costs himself. Joe, split into three pieces, sat on the Gillums' property for several years. And although Ransdell eventually got his business back up, he succumbed to lung cancer before he was able to retrieve Joe. Before he died, according to Helen Gillum, Ransdell said to his wife, "Give Ray Hobo Joe." So, as a tribute to Joe's engineer, Ramon reassembled the giant vagabond there on his property and installed a plaque at his feet: HOBO JOE |
