Over the years, these venerable salesmen and bastions of literacy have fallen in and out of favor. With the advent of metal signs, lighting displays, sidewalk obstruction laws, being used for firewood, and civil liberties, it has been a hard battle that at one point had almost seen the end of the wooden Indians.

Now, however, despite pressure from certain groups, the wooden store Indian is alive and well. In addition to adorning many tobacco shops, sharing the fame with the warm glow of neon signs, the wooden statues have become collectible items, and even home décor.

Summary

Well, it has been a fun walk down memory lane. I have enjoyed this brief outline of the cigar store Indian’s rise to fame and fortune, emerging from stories of “Indians with smoking heads” told in darkened bars to iconic figures in literature and cinema. If you have any stories, any anecdotal history, or pictures of your own “Old Wooden Head”, shoot us a line. We would love to hear from you!