Bring Ketchup if You Visit the Grave of This Kentucky Icon

You've likely heard his name, seen his image, and even tasted his famous fried chicken, but here's how you can visit his final resting place.

There are several well-known figures with Kentucky roots. Some worth mentioning are current country music sensations Chris Stapleton, Dillon Carmichael, and Carly Pearce, but Kentucky is also the birthplace of several A-list actors, like Johnny Depp and George Clooney. That said, those are not the only pop culture favorites from the Bluegrass State, as Kentucky is also the birthplace of one entrepeneur whose 11 herbs and spices put his restaurant business on the global map.

Colonel Harland Sanders is perhaps one of the most recognizable fast-food mascots, having been the prime face of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) since its inception. According to the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, Sanders joined the United States Army in 1906 at the young age of 16. He was discharged in 1907, but not as a colonel. In fact, he wouldn't receive that title until it was bestowed upon him by former Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon in 1935.

Atlas Obscura notes that Sanders worked as a streetcar conductor, fireman, insurance salesman, and filling station operator before entering the restaurant business at the age of 62, when he was nearly destitute and living off a government pension. Sanders first opened a small restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah, but would expand quickly as he traveled the country, selling his recipe. Soon, KFC restaurants were in every state across the country, and Sanders became a household name.

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Sanders died from leukemia in 1980 at the age of 90, but not without leaving behind a massive legacy. At the time, KFC was one of the most famous brands in the world, with over 6,000 franchises in 48 countries. Now, according to Statistia, there are nearly 30,000 restaurants worldwide. The Colonel was buried in Kentucky's Cave Hill Cemetery, and his grave is marked by a bust that was created by his daughter Margaret. Sanders was laid to rest in his classic mascot attire near his late wife Claudia, who died several years later in 1996.

Atlas Obscura says that visitors can find the grave site by entering the Grinstead Drive cemetery entrance, turning right, and following the yellow line on the road. The grave is located on the right side of the road, where the yellow line ends. Over the years, guests have brought ketchup packets to place on the grave to honor the colonel at his grave site. So, if you plan to make a visit, be sure to stuff your pockets beforehand.