The The Big Chicken was built in 1963 by S.R. "Tubby" Davis as a method of advertising a restaurant on U.S. 41, a main thoroughfare through Marietta, Georga. At seven stories, it was one of tallest structures in Marietta at the time. The Big Chicken quickly became a landmark for people travelling by car. Directions were often given, to "turn right at the Big Chicken" or, something was just "one mile from the Big Chicken." Folklore has it that even airline pilots used it as a navigational landmark. The 56 feet high structure was designed by an unidentified Georgia Tech architectural student. It was initially designed to withstand 100 mph winds, with operating eyes, beak and a comb which moved with any passing breeze. Although the structure was sturdy, the mechanical movements when the eyes and beak moved created excessive vibration, sometimes to the extent of breaking windows. At some point the owners did discontinue efforts to keep the mechanics operating. The unit was fabricated by Atlantic Steel and erected at the site of the Johnny Reb's Chick, Chuck and Shake, which was a drive-in chicken and hamburger restaurant. In 1966 S.R. Davis sold the restaurant to this brother A.T. Davis who owned one of the early Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises. In 1974 Kentucky Fried Chicken (K.F.C.) leased the restaurant which was one of the highest dollar volume K.F.C. operations until the construction of I-75 parallel to U.S. 41 relocated the traffic through the area. In January 1993, heavy winds damaged the Big Chicken with sheet metal being ripped off of the structure. At the time, K.F.C. voiced concern over repairing the structure, and after overwhelming public support, not just in Marietta but around the entire metro area, K.F.C. did repair the structure, and also made the beak and eye mechanics operational. People were overjoyed that their beloved Big Chicken was saved. It continues to be a big tourism attraction for Marietta. In fact, visitors now can purchase the various menu items available at K.F.C. restaurants and view historic materials, including pieces of the original structure maintained on display. Also, visitors may now purchase souvenirs and gifts from the Gift Shop located in the restaurant. Location: The Big Chicken is located at US 41 and Roswell Street.

Harland David Sanders was born on September 9, 1890 in Henryville, Indiana and grew to become one of the most famous figures of the 20-century. At the age of 40, he began selling fried chicken to people who patronized his service station in Corbin, Kentucky. By word of mouth the news of Mr. Saunders tasty chicken soon spread and he had more chicken business than his small service station could handle. He soon opened a motel/restaurant where he perfect his “secret recipe of 11- herbs and spices,” and was on his way to becoming the known the world over for chicken that was “Finger lickin’ Good.” I 1935 Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon made Harland an honorary “Kentucky Colonel” and the legend of Colonel Saunder’s Kentucky Fride Chicken was Complete. Colonel Saunders adopted the role of a distinguished Kentucky Colonel dressing in a white suit with a black bowtie and promoting himself as Colonel Saunders. The Colonel would drive himself from restaurant to restaurant cooking chicken and selling franchises and soon became one of the largest fast food chains in the world. Colonel Sanders remained true to his image until his death on December 16, 1980 at the age of 90. One of Kentucky’s favorite citizens was afforded Kentucky’s Highest honor when he lay in repose in the rotunda of the State Capitol prior to his burial at Louisville Historic Cave Hill Cemetery.