The Big Duck
Wednesday, 10th January 2007 by Alex Turnbull
It's been a long time coming to this site, but finally it's time to visit the *world famous**, Long Island New York Big Duck!
Seemingly adored by Long island residents, the Big Duck was built in 1931 by a duck farmer keen to promote his products (who apparently had the sense to patent his duck-shaped building). The Big Duck has eyes made from the taillights of a Model T Ford which glow red at night, and she's actually been moved several times during her lifetime.
Because of her proximity to New York City, the Big Duck is amongst the best known of America's roadside tourist attractions, and is also probably the reason that the term "duck" is now used in architecture to describe a building built in the shape of something associated with it.
* Nope, I'd never heard of it either 😉
More at Roadside America and Wikipedia, and thanks to Andy Affleck and JoeD.
Here is Lucy the Elephant which is mentioned in the Roadside America article. That bright sunshine doesnt show it up very well though but you get the idea.
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I vaguely recall a goose about the same size in a park in Davenport, Iowa, in the late 50s and early 60s.
Yep, here ’tis: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==1951
And of course there is the Big Chicken in Marietta, GA. It’s not three-dimensional like the Duck but it’s still quite the landmark. Ground Level & History
Years ago [throughout the ’40s] we used to drive from D.C. to Baltimore on a regular basis to visit family. I remember two things about the trip … St. Mary’s Boy’s School {Reformatory ?] where Babe Ruth learned baseball and, before we got there, a building on the left side of US ! which -if memory serves- was a hotel in the shape of a dog [a Husky maybe or a Spitz] with “One Spot Flea Killer” lettered on the side. It wasn’t too big, but obviously made an impression on this then 4 year old [in ’42]
Its not in Hi-res, but you can see this is street view. The giant rooster made of car bumpers. I pass it everytime I drive to Florida.
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More info at http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/16