Harley McDowell (?-2001) was a local businessman who, in 1954, established the Bismarck Big Boy restaurant and only the fourth Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. McDowell sold off Big Boy and KFC in 1978.
At one time, McDowell owned nine fast food operations across Bismarck, Minot, Fargo, and Dickinson.
McDowell Dam is named in his honor.
