Massive rooster undone by high winds

LIBERTY, Ind. – The huge, colorful rooster that marked the Liberty Bell Restaurant has flown the coop.

The spring's high winds were too much for the 28-foot tall rooster that dominated Liberty's south side for more than two years.

Liberty Bell owner Andy Pitcher said the landmark was removed a couple of weeks ago.

"The wind was really hard on it, and it was hard to keep it looking good," Pitcher said. "It wasn't wind-friendly."

The massive rooster was controversial here in 2012 when it was installed in front of the restaurant, which features chicken on its menu.

The rooster ran afoul of the county zoning code, but the zoning appeals board granted the bird a variance after a petition with hundreds of signers supporting the bird was presented to zoning officials.

Pitcher said he already has plans for the open area in front of the restaurant. A cast iron Liberty Bell will be placed below the restaurant's sign, Pitcher said.

Customers will be able to ring the bell, which was a church bell in its former life, he said. Three white crosses will occupy the area where the rooster stood.

Flags always have been a Liberty Bell staple, and Pitcher plans to erect a large flag pole to support a 24-by-40-foot flag. The flag will wave over the Liberty Bell complex, which includes the restaurant, the general store and the fireworks store.

"We're also going to have an outside picnic area," Pitcher said. "We wanted to do something different. The size of the flag will be impressive."

Union County Area Plan director Jeff Mathews said Pitcher discussed the placement of the crosses with him and it complies with zoning rules. The flag and the bell shouldn't be problems as long as they meet the required setbacks from the street, Mathews said.

"The crosses are not considered a sign, and they are far enough off the highway there's no problem," Mathews said.