Big Duck, The
Why it's listed
Shaped like an oversized white Peking duck, this small building on NY Route 24 in Flanders was constructed in 1930-31 as a poultry store for duck farmer Martin Maurer. Its wood ribs are covered in galvanized wire mesh and four coats of white cement, with Model T tail lights serving as eyes. It measures about 15 feet wide, 30 feet long and 20 feet high. Designed by the Collins brothers, framed by carpenter George Reeve and surfaced by Smith & Yeager, it was meant to catch the eye of passing motorists. Maurer moved it to Flanders in 1937, and it closed as a store in 1984. After it was donated to Suffolk County, it was relocated in 1988 to a park site on the same road. It is valued as one of very few surviving mimetic roadside buildings in New York and as a reference point in later architectural criticism. A gift shop now occupies the interior.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a distinctive and widely recognized example of early twentieth-century mimetic roadside architecture, one of very few surviving in New York State. It drew national attention in later architectural criticism and debate, including the 'duck' and 'decorated shed' theory. Its design reflects efforts to attract motorists in the automobile era.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97000164, listed April 28, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 24, NW of jct. with Bellows Pond Rd., Town of Southampton, Flanders |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | April 28, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000164 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1930-31 |
| Architect / builder | Collins Brothers, designers; Smith & Yeager, masons; George Reeve, builder |
| Architectural style | No style; other: roadside architecture |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now houses a retail gift shop; moved in 1988 to Sears-Bellows Pond County Park, and owned by Suffolk County. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.88806, -72.55704 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97000164.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2385515
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.