The Frazee area has long been surrounded by turkey industry.  There are several turkey farmers in the area and Frazee was (at the time the turkey statue was first built) home of a turkey processing plant.

In 1984, a group of interested turkey growers and committee members met and proposed the idea of erecting a turkey statue near Frazee.  A committee was named and money was raised.

Artist Shell Scott was commissioned to construct the origonal turkey.  The construction consisted of a metal frame anchored in cement.  Other materials included fiberglass, cardboard and insultation.

'Big Tom' was dedicated on August 8th, 1986, he stood 22 feet tall and cost about $20,000.

Since 1986, the community of Frazee has been privileged to be called the "Home of the World's Largest Turkey".

In 1990, Frazee's 'Big Tom' (as the statue was refered to) made a debut on Good Morning America.  Most of the town's citizens were present.

As time went by, problems with the turkey's physical makeup became apparent.  'Big Tom' was origonally a bronze color but had to be painted white because of problems with the exterior.  There were also complaints that 'Big Tom' was not proportioned like a real turkey.