Just a few miles south of Owensboro on US 431 sits Bluegrass Ornamental Concrete and the massive, iconic concrete rooster that’s accented the highway since the early ’80s. Marshall Goins started the business, selling it to Truman and Melinda Burden 8 years ago.
The original rooster ruled the coop for decades until a driver struck it head-on after falling asleep at the wheel. According to Truman, the rooster was a lifesaver.
“Someone fell asleep, and when they hit the rooster, it wedged up against the cab and prevented the truck from tipping over on top of them,” Truman said. “It was a 3,400-pound rooster, so it was big enough to hold the entire side of the truck up and potentially save a life.”
The Burdens replaced the rooster with a new one and moved it further back from the roadway, creating a custom mold paint job that resembles the Kellogg’s rooster.
The rooster barely scratches the surface of the company’s full capabilities.
“We’ve remodeled inside and added antiques inside the lobby,” Truman said. “We’ve also done a lot of cleanup and landscaping and created a system for people to purchase ornaments without us being there.”
Truman said Melinda is the “boss,” and she’s done an excellent job growing their offerings.
“We’ve introduced several large animals, and it’s been great,” he said. “We’re always seeing families stop with their children for photo opportunities going down the highway. And with our new purchasing system and ability to take debit and credit card payments, we’ve increased our accessibility.”
The Burdens craft several of the ornaments on-site, pouring solid concrete into either a composite alloy metal or fiberglass latex mold. Truman said the latex offers the most detail.
He said they can always source a product within the industry if they can’t make it. Ornaments range from farm and jungle animals to fountains, bird baths, religious statues, and more.
On average, they sell 80,000 tons of products per year.
“The community has been very supportive, but it’s a two-way street,” Truman said. “We’re a yearly contributor to the Wendell Foster Center, and we’re always trying to donate to auctions to support nonprofits and the youth in the community. If you’re blessed, it only makes sense to help others during their time of need.”
The Burdens have no interest in going anywhere anytime soon. Truman said they’re regularly adding products to their inventory and keeping up with the latest industry trends.
For more information on Bluegrass Ornamental Concrete, follow the business on Facebook here or visit in person at 9612 US 431 in Utica.
