At seven stories, it was one of tallest structures in Marietta at the time. The Big Chicken quickly became a landmark for people travelling by car.
Folklore has it that even airline pilots used it as a navigational landmark.
The 56 feet high structure was designed by an unidentified Georgia Tech architectural student. It was initially designed to withstand 100 mph winds, with operating eyes, beak and a comb which moved with any passing breeze. Although the structure was sturdy, the mechanical movements when the eyes and beak moved created excessive vibration, sometimes to the extent of breaking windows. At some point the owners did discontinue efforts to keep the mechanics operating. The unit was fabricated by Atlantic Steel and erected at the site of the Johnny Reb's Chick, Chuck and Shake, which was a drive-in chicken and hamburger restaurant.