The Story Behind Marietta’s Famous Big Chicken

by Mari Dominguez

If you’ve driven through Marietta, Georgia, chances are you’ve spotted it—the 56-foot tall Big Chicken towering over Cobb Parkway. It’s more than just a quirky landmark; it’s a piece of local history that has guided drivers, entertained kids, and even become part of Metro Atlanta real estate directions (“turn left at the Big Chicken!”).

📜 How It All Began

The Big Chicken was built in 1963 as part of a restaurant called Johnny Reb’s Chick-Chuck-‘N’-Shake. The idea? Grab attention from the busy traffic heading to and from Atlanta. With moving eyes and a beak that opened and closed, it quickly became impossible to miss.

When the restaurant later became a Kentucky Fried Chicken, Colonel Sanders himself approved keeping the giant bird in place. Locals loved it, and it soon became the ultimate landmark for giving directions around Marietta.

🛠️ A Scare and a Rebuild

In 1993, storm damage almost brought the Big Chicken down, but Marietta residents weren’t about to let their beloved landmark disappear. Thanks to community support (and a lot of clucking around), the structure was repaired and eventually renovated in 2017. Today, it stands tall with fresh colors, working eyes, and a beak that still greets travelers.

🌆 Why It Matters to Metro Atlanta

The Big Chicken isn’t just roadside art—it’s a symbol of Marietta pride and a reminder that this city blends tradition with growth. For locals, it’s a landmark that has stood strong while the Metro Atlanta housing market and neighborhoods around it have grown and evolved.

Ask any real estate agent (🙋‍♀️ like me!) and we’ll tell you: homes near landmarks like the Big Chicken not only get great visibility, but they’re also tied to Marietta’s unique identity.

🏡 Final Thoughts

So next time you drive down Cobb Parkway, give a nod to the Big Chicken. It’s more than a fast-food sign—it’s a piece of Marietta history that has shaped the community for decades.

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