92 years of LI Duck Christmas!

by George Fiala (with help from The Big Duck, by Dr. Susan Van Scoy)

There was once a time when Route 24 was part of the route to the Hamptons. Driving with my parents in the 1960's is what imprinted the Big Duck in my mind. It was something I pretty much forgot until I began my turtle odyssey (issue #2 of this paper) and had to drive to Jamesport. The next month I drove to the Woodside Orchards, and last issue to the Modern Snack Bar. Each time I passed by the Duck, but each time I was kind of in a hurry and didn't stop. Finally, on my latest trip to the Snack Bar to drop off the last issue and pick up some stuff for Thanksgiving, I had time to stop.

Before I continue, I have to add one more giant roadside attraction that I have encountered. I went to college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and for a couple years worked at a radio staion near York. Driving to work on Route 30 I used to pass by a giant shoe, which is very reminiscent of The Duck. The Shoe was meant to whimsically be the house of the "Old Woman" who lived in it. It was built in 1948 by a shoe salesman.

The Duck was built in 1931, and housed a store selling ducks and duck eggs. Martin Maurer was the half own- er of a duck farm. On a trip during the Depression to Los Angeles, he had a cup of coffee in a coffee shop shaped like a percolator. He reportedly spent almost $4,000 of 1931 money to build his big idea. It's original location was in Upper Mills, Riverhead, but by 1936 Maurer was so successful with the duck that he bought his own farm and moved the duck to Route 24. Maurer retired in 1951 and sold the farm to the Dessons.

The Duck was such a landmark that Desson, who was a chicken farmer, sourced ducks from Aquebogue and kept selling them inside the Duck, along with his chickens. Maude Desson worked twelve hours a day, seven days a week every year from March to Thanksgiving, when they closed for the season.

According to Dr. Van Soy, customers included Carl Yastrzemski's mother, Alistair Cooke and the food critic Craig Claiborne.

The Duck was next sold in 1972, to Jean and Marie Colombo, who changed things up a bit. They concentrated on raising chickens, along with some turkeys, sheep and Muscovy ducks. They sold rotisserie chicken from inside the Big Duck, and transformed other buildings on the property into an antique shed, sandwich and pastry shops.

The sturdily built Duck weathered all storms and continued to feature glowing red eyes (illuminated with automobile headlights).

The Colombo's sold it in 1982 to a sculptor and his wife (the Eshgis), who hoped to transform the property into an artist residence, however this change of usage was not allowed and The Duck became empty and neglected.

A campaign was started to save the Duck, and in 1987, the Eshgis donated the Duck to Suffolk County. It was moved a few miles south on 24, to Sears Bellows County Park. It remained at the park for 20 years, when the Town of Southampton decided to move it back to it's previous location on 24. It turned out that the sculptor had sold the land to a real estate developer. The developer never developed anything, so the land was bought by the Town and brought the Duck back home. The next year it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has stayed put.

First Presbyterian Church of Amagansett

Hanukkah

Specials At Rowdy Hall

Thursday, December 7 through Monday, December 11

Appetizer Potato Latkes

Halsey Apple Sauce, Sour Cream, Chives (3 per order) $16

Entrée

Braised Beef Brisket $38

Baby Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Fresh Horseradish

Dessert

Chocolate Rugelach $12

Thursday, December 12 through Friday, December 15 Soup

Beet Purée $14

Horseradish Cream

350 Montauk Highway, Amagansett 631-267-6404

First United Methodist Church of East Hampton

35 Pantigo Road, East Hampton 631-324-4258

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church

486 Montauk Highway, Amagansett 631-267-6351

St. Peter the Apostle

Roman Catholic Church

286 Montauk Highway, Amagansett 631-324-0134

St. Peter’s Chapel

465 Old Stone Highway, East Hampton 631-329-0990

St. Thomas’ Episcopal

Entrée Roasted Poussin $36

Roasted Garlic Mash, Roasted Parsnips

Dessert Apple Cake $12

Honey Roasted Apple Compote, Sliced Candied Pecans

ABOUT ROWDY HALL

Rowdy Hall, which recently re-located to Amagansett has established a stellar reputation for English pub and French bistro style cuisine at reasonable prices. Local and weekend customers return regularly for the French onion soup, the salads, and the famous Rowdy Burger. With a focus on locally sourced products, Rowdy Hall’s unpretentious atmosphere combined with its flawless, uncomplicated fare make it a favorite for all East-Enders.

177 Main Street, Amagansett, NY 11930 (631) 324-8555 www.rowdyhall.com

Chapel 102 Montauk Highway, Amagansett 631-267-3080

The Jewish Center of the Hamptons 44 Woods Lane, East Hampton 631-329-6654

Pizza

Fini Pizza Amagansett

237 Main Street, Amagansett 631-394-5654 Springs Pizza

841 Springs Fireplace Road (631) 907-4039

Dive Bar Pizza

2095 Montauk Hwy, Amagansett, (631) 668-8378