The History of Claudia Sanders Dinner House — Since 1968
A legacy of Southern hospitality since 1968.
A Kentucky Landmark
Claudia Sanders Dinner House opened in 1968 in Shelbyville, Kentucky, founded by Colonel Harland Sanders and his wife Claudia. It was first called The Colonel's Lady and later renamed in Claudia's honor.
The Colonel and Claudia moved to Shelbyville in 1959, making Blackwood Hall — the 125-year-old home next door — their residence. Their love of Southern recipes and the restaurant business led them to open a dinner house of their own, with old-fashioned, family-style service.
The original building burned the day after Mother's Day in 1999. It was rebuilt with larger banquet rooms and a new kitchen, while keeping the country charm of the old Dinner House. Ask our hostess about the Claudia Sanders Dinner House Cookbook to take these Southern recipes home.
1968
Est.
While ravaged by fire the day after Mother's Day, 1999, the Dinner House has reopened in an improved facility. We have larger banquet facilities and a state of the art kitchen, but have maintained the country charm of the old dinner house.
In 1959, Colonel Harland Sanders and his wife, Claudia, moved from Southeastern Kentucky to Shelbyville. From this property the Colonel and Claudia built the restaurant that carries her name today.
Blackwood Hall, the 125-year-old home next door, was the Sanders' residence after they moved to Shelbyville in 1959. Their knowledge of Southern recipes and their love of the restaurant business soon brought about the creation of the Claudia Sanders Dinner House.
By the late 1960s the Colonel and Claudia turned their attention to a restaurant of their own. Their knowledge of Southern recipes and natural leaning toward the restaurant business soon brought about the creation of the Claudia Sanders Dinner House.
You can take some of these Southern recipes home with you. Ask our hostess about the Claudia Sanders Dinner House Cookbook, a welcome addition to any cook's collection.
Biographical Timeline
1890 → 1999
Sep. 9, 1890
Harland Sanders is born in Henryville, Indiana.
1930
Sanders begins serving food to travelers at his service station in Corbin, Kentucky.
1935
Governor Ruby Laffoon names him a Kentucky Colonel for his contribution to the state's cuisine.
1959
The Colonel and Claudia move to Shelbyville and make Blackwood Hall on U.S. 60 their home.
1968
They open Claudia Sanders Dinner House, originally called The Colonel's Lady.
Dec. 16, 1980
Colonel Sanders dies and is buried in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville.
Dec. 31, 1996
Claudia Sanders dies at age 90 and is buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.
1997
More than 100 photographs and pieces of memorabilia from Claudia's home are acquired at auction and preserved.
May 1999
The original Colonel's Lady burns the day after Mother's Day; it is rebuilt with expanded banquet rooms and a new kitchen.
A Historic Kentucky Home
The one hundred twenty-five-year-old dwelling, Blackwood Hall, sits adjacent to the Dinner House. It was home to the Colonel and Claudia and remains a treasured part of the property's history.
PHOTO NEEDEDBlackwood Hall / historic photographs
After The Fire
After the original Colonel's Lady burned the day after Mother's Day, 1999, the Dinner House was rebuilt and reopened — carrying forward the Sanders recipes and hospitality.
PHOTO NEEDEDDining rooms — Kentucky Room, Thoroughbred, Saddlebred, Colonel's Quarters
The Claudia Sanders Cookbook
Take a piece of the Dinner House home with you. The Claudia Sanders Dinner House Cookbook collects the recipes and stories behind a Kentucky tradition.
PHOTO NEEDEDClaudia Sanders Cookbook
A Living Collection
Memorabilia from the Colonel's life and the restaurant's history fills the Dinner House — a gallery of Kentucky heritage you can see in person.
PHOTO NEEDEDMemorabilia & cookbook gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
- ?Who founded Claudia Sanders Dinner House?
- Colonel Harland Sanders and his wife Claudia Sanders opened the restaurant in 1968 as The Colonel's Lady, beside their Blackwood Hall home. It was later renamed in Claudia's honor.
- ?Did Colonel Sanders live in Shelbyville?
- Yes. In 1959, Colonel Harland Sanders and his wife Claudia moved to Shelbyville and made Blackwood Hall, the 125-year-old home next door to the Dinner House, their residence.
- ?Can I visit Blackwood Hall?
- Blackwood Hall sits adjacent to the Dinner House and is part of the property's history. Contact us at (502) 633-5600 to ask about visiting.
- ?Is the Claudia Sanders cookbook for sale?
- Yes. Ask our hostess about the Claudia Sanders Dinner House Cookbook, a collection of the Southern recipes served here — a welcome addition to any cook's collection.
- ?Who was Claudia Sanders?
- Claudia Sanders was Colonel Harland Sanders' wife and co-founder of the Dinner House. The restaurant is named for her, and it opened in 1968, originally called The Colonel's Lady.