The Peabody Hotel, Memphis

The Legend of the Ducks

(Yes, I am copying this information.)

Back in the 1930's Frank Schutt, General Manager of the Peabody, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. The men had a little too much Tennessee sippin' whiskey, and thought it would be funny to place some of their duck decoys (it was legal then for hunters to use live decoys) in the beautiful Peabody fountain.

Three small English call ducks were selected as "guinea pigs," and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. Thus began a Peabody tradition which was to become internationally famous.

The original ducks have long since gone, but after more than 76 years, the marble fountain in the hotel lobby is still graced with ducks. Today, the Mallards are raised by a local farmer and friend of the hotel. The ducks live in the fountain until they are full grown and, on retirement from their Peabody duties, are returned to the wild.

The Peabody ducks march at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm daily

http://www.peabodymemphis.com/

Here are the ducks being escorted from the roof to the lobby through the elevator.

They march down the red carpet

And into the fountain!

It was really cool to listen to the history and hear everyone gathered around laugh with excitement. Definitely something worth seeing. In the information above, it says that the ducks live in the fountain until they are full grown. Well, that is only 3 months and then they get new ones. I didn't know that duck grew that fast! You learn something new everyday!