All our vintage signs are part of San Jose’s history, but Kentucky Fried Chicken Bucket sign is extra special. It’s one of only two original bucket signs still standing anywhere in the country. (The other one is in Iowa and features a later design, making this the oldest one). Just goes to show that advocating for our historical signs works: When the restaurant that now stands below the sign was being built in the 1990s, the San Jose Planning Department required the original sign to be maintained as is.
On this side of the bucket are the slogans “finger lickin’ good” (introduced 1956) and “North America’s Hospitality Dish” , a slogan used between 1956 and 1966.
And on the other side is the Colonel himself.
Location:
250 N. Bascom Ave.
Love this. I remember when this KFC opened. Our family would get food there once a week, and think it a great treat. We lived in the rose garden area.
nancy, I read quite a bit about KFC’s early marketing: the mail was promoted to be exactly how your family thought of and enjoyed it. Clever marketing!