At one time Long Island was famous for duck farming. Of course as more people moved out from the city the number of duck farms decreased.
In 1931, Riverhead duck farmer Martin Maurer commissioned some local builders to create this 10-ton eye-catcher using concrete (technically, "ferrocement") applied over a wooden frame. Taillights from a Model T Ford became its eyes, glowing red at night. Maurer sold ducks and eggs from the shop in its belly. The building is now used for tourism. I can remember the duck being moved to several locations in the last 40 years, finally coming to a permanent location in Flanders. People love "The Big Duck."
"The Big Duck" is my 24th direct watercolor painting for the 30 x 30 Direct Watercolor Challenge.
Oh, this is a lot of fun! Thanks for the local story!
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun building. Someone on the 30 x 30 FB page said she and her sister used to visit it all the time and they named it as kids. Many people I know have stories of stopping by to see it when they go east. I know I do!
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