In 1931, Riverhead duck farmer Martin Maurer and his wife Jeule decided to construct a giant duck-shaped duck shop.  They hoped to sell the Peking ducks they raised to passing motorists, who were drawn to the striking form of a "big duck" along Riverhead's West Main Street.

       The Big Duck was constructed on a wooden frame with wire mesh attached. Concrete (ferrocement) was then applied to the wire.  Two Model-T Ford taillights were placed in head, for eyes, that glow red at night.  The Big Duck in its entirety measures 30 feet from beak to perky tail, 15 feet from folded wing to folded wing, and 20 feet from its base to the top of its head.

       The Big Duck roosted at The Big Duck Ranch on West Main Street till 1936.  The Maurers had sold quite a few ducks and eggs from their shop. They  decided to relocate The Big Duck to Route 24 in Flanders.  When the land where it rested was slated for development in 1987, Big Duck fans from all over joined Suffolk County in an effort to preserve The Big Duck.  Its then current owners, Kia and Pouran Eshghi, generously donated The Big Duck to Suffolk County in December of 1987.  It was then moved to Hampton Bays at the entrance to Sears Bellows County Park, further east on Route 24.  Big Duck was moved back to the original Flanders location on October 6, 2007 (shown in the Thompson painting). It is now open to the public as a gift shop.

The Big Duck V.G.

Flanders, Long Island, New York

16” x 20”  Original Oil Painting by Elaine Faith Thompson, Artist

To place an order call (631) 589-0069 or come to the Gallery. Info on the home page. We also take Mastercard or Visa.

To place an order call (631) 589-0069 or come to the Gallery. Info on the home page. We also take Mastercard or Visa.

The original oil painting was SOLD.