The Story
A Legacy Preserved
A Legacy Preserved
Through determination, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Sanders built Kentucky Fried Chicken into one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Long before social media, modern franchising, or celebrity entrepreneurs, the Colonel traveled thousands of miles each year promoting his business, his values, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky itself.
Yet the story of Colonel Sanders is about more than a restaurant. It is a story of entrepreneurship, hospitality, resilience, and legacy. And it is a story that continues today in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
01
The Colonel
(1912 – 1980)
Born in Henryville, Indiana, Harland Sanders worked a variety of jobs throughout his early life before finding success in the restaurant business.
Through years of experimentation, hard work, and relentless promotion, he transformed a small roadside operation into what would become Kentucky Fried Chicken.
By the time the company was sold in 1964, Sanders had become one of the most recognizable business figures in America.
But retirement was never part of the plan.
Even after the sale of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sanders remained deeply involved in hospitality, continued traveling extensively, and devoted himself to preserving the standards and values that had built his reputation.
Many of those efforts centered around Shelbyville.
02
Claudia Sanders
(1903 – 1996)
Behind every great legacy are people whose contributions often go untold.
For Colonel Sanders, that person was Claudia.
A gifted hostess, businesswoman, and partner, Claudia played a critical role in helping shape the final chapter of the Colonel’s life and career.
Following the sale of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Colonel and Claudia established what would become the Claudia Sanders Dinner House. Together they created a destination known for hospitality, tradition, and the personal touch that defined their approach to business.
Today, her name remains on the building, a lasting reminder of her influence and contribution.
03
Blackwood Hall
(Purchased in 1974)
Nestled beside the Claudia Sanders Dinner House stands Blackwood Hall, the longtime residence of Colonel and Claudia Sanders.
For approximately twenty-five years, the home served as their primary residence.
But Blackwood Hall was more than simply a home.
It became a gathering place for franchise owners, friends, business associates, and visitors from around the world.
Many franchise operators traveled to Shelbyville to learn directly from Colonel Sanders. They studied his standards, techniques, hospitality philosophy, and approach to business. Some stayed at Blackwood Hall itself while receiving instruction from the founder.
In many ways, Blackwood Hall became the classroom where the culture of Kentucky Fried Chicken continued to be taught long after the sale of the company.
The home remains one of the most significant surviving properties associated with the Sanders legacy.
04
The Claudia Sanders Dinner House
(Established 1968)
The property itself occupies a unique place in American restaurant history.
Prior to the sale of Kentucky Fried Chicken, the site served as headquarters for the growing franchise operation. Following the sale, Colonel and Claudia established the Claudia Sanders Dinner House, creating a new chapter in their hospitality journey.
Today, the property encompasses approximately 25,000 square feet of restaurant and event facilities and welcomes thousands of guests each year.
Facility Highlights
The facility includes:
Kentucky Room Dining Room
Elegant dining space reflecting Kentucky heritage, designed for large gatherings, traditional meals, and memorable guest dining experiences.
Saddlebred Room
A themed dining room inspired by Kentucky Saddlebred culture, offering refined ambiance and comfortable seating for guests.
Thoroughbred Room
Classic dining area celebrating Kentucky’s horse racing heritage, featuring spacious layout and warm hospitality-focused interior design.
Colonel's Quarters Event Facility
Private event space designed for gatherings, meetings, and celebrations, reflecting Colonel Sanders’ legacy and historic Kentucky charm.
Gift Shop
Retail space offering souvenirs, memorabilia, and branded items, allowing visitors to take home a piece of history.
Lounge & Balcony
Relaxing lounge area with balcony views, providing guests a comfortable space to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere.
Commercial Kitchen Facilities
Fully equipped professional kitchen designed for high-volume food preparation, supporting restaurant operations and large-scale catering services.
Extensive Parking
Spacious on-site parking area accommodating large visitor volume, ensuring convenient access for guests and event attendees.
Premier Event Destination
With seating approaching 700 guests, it remains one of the largest hospitality and event venues in the region.
Family
The Settle Family
August 1, 1974 Purchased
August 1, 1974
Tommy and Cherry Settle purchase Blackwood Hall and Claudia Sanders Dinner House directly from Colonel and Claudia Sanders, beginning more than fifty years of stewardship and preservation.
With that purchase came not only the property and business, but also stewardship of a remarkable collection of historical artifacts, documents, furnishings, photographs, and personal belongings connected to the Sanders family.
Unlike many collections that are assembled over time through dealers and collectors, these items remained together.
For more than fifty years, the Settle family carefully preserved the collection while continuing to operate the restaurant and maintain the property.
Their stewardship helped protect a chapter of Kentucky history that might otherwise have been dispersed or lost.
Why This Auction Matters?
This offering represents a rare convergence of history, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and preservation.
For the first time, the collection preserved by the Settle family, together with the historic real estate, operating business, intellectual property, trademarks, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and associated assets, will be offered to the public.
Collectors will have the opportunity to acquire artifacts directly connected to one of America’s most influential entrepreneurs.
Investors will have the opportunity to acquire a Kentucky landmark and operating hospitality business.
Historians will have the opportunity to help preserve an important chapter of American and Kentucky history.
And a new steward will have the opportunity to write the next chapter.
This is more than an auction.
It is the transfer of a legacy.