Colonel Sanders Weathervane

This weathervane is topped by a two-sided lithographed steel image of Harland Sanders in his genteel image as “Colonel Sanders”—a white suit, black string tie, and cane. The use of the image was meant to reinforce brand loyalty by featuring the company’s iconic founder at restaurants he franchised. The image sat atop the red and white steel cupola made by the Trachte Metal Buildings Company during the 1970s, sold to franchisees to present a unified image.

Harland Sanders began selling his fried chicken at his filling station in North Corbin, Kentucky in 1934. Two years later the governor granted Sanders the honorary title of “Kentucky Colonel,” a title that was renewed in 1950 by Governor Lawrence Weatherby. Around then Sanders adopted the persona of a genteel Colonel with his suit, string tie, and cane. In 1952, Colonel Sanders licensed his chicken to Salt Lake City restaurant owner Peter Harman, and in 1955 he sold his store and traveled the country full-time selling franchises. By 1964 there were more than 600 franchisees, and Sanders sold his interest in the company for $2 million dollars.