Big Duck Ranch, Historic duck farm in Flanders, New York, United States
The Big Duck Ranch is a historic duck-selling building in Flanders, New York, designed and built in the shape of a large duck with Model T taillights as eyes. The structure sits on 11.3 acres and was constructed entirely from ferrocement to achieve its distinctive appearance.
Martin Maurer established a retail duck-product business at this location in 1937, and it operated continuously until 1984. The original concept of a duck-shaped sales building would later prove influential in spawning an entire architectural style.
The building started an architectural movement where similar product-shaped structures are classified as duck architecture. Visitors today can see how a working business was designed with such a creative and playful approach.
Visitors should arrive during daytime hours when the building is accessible, as opening times vary by day of the week. The site sits near Reeves Bay and is easily reached by car, with parking available on the grounds.
The building has relocated three times across eastern Long Island before landing at its current spot overlooking Reeves Bay. These moves show how the structure was preserved and transported to new locations to ensure its future.
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