Absolutely obsessed with The Big Duck on Long Island.
Back in the heyday of the Pekin duck craze in New York City, countless duck farms sprung up across Long Island on the East End forks.
As a remnant, and now a historical landmark in Flanders, New York, The Big Duck stands on the side of Flanders Rd as a symbol of an industry past, holding on as best as possible to this day.
The Big Duck was built by a local farmer to sell his duck eggs.
Inspired by a giant coffee pot in California, he created it to attract attention and publicity for his business.
Sadly, we recently heard news that the very last duck farm standing in Long Island, the Crescent Duck Farm, had to cull their flock of 100,000 birds due to the bird flu influenza that is ravaging parts of the country right now.
Table of Contents
A Short History of The Big Duck and Duck Farming on Long Island
The Big Duck is a quirky and beloved relic of Long Island’s agricultural past.
As duck farming once dominated the East End economy, this roadside attraction became an enduring symbol of innovation and community pride. Today, it stands as a testament to the island’s creative spirit and resilience.
- 1880s: Pekin ducks were imported, leading to a booming duck farming industry.
- 1931: The Big Duck was built by Martin Maurer as a roadside attraction.
- 1950-70: Long Island became the top producer of ducks in the U.S., with over 90 farms.
- 1980s: Stricter regulations and suburban sprawl caused industry decline.
- Today: The Crescent Duck Farm remains as the last active duck farm on Long Island.
Q&A on The Big Duck
Q: Why was The Big Duck designed this way?
A: It’s an example of “programmatic architecture,” where the building resembles the product it sells.
Q: What makes Crescent Duck Farm unique today?
A: It’s the only remaining duck farm from a once-thriving industry.
