Town Dedicates Historical Marker Honoring Chin Chin Ranch in Massapequa

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Tom Hand, joined by local officials and members of the Historical Society of the Massapequas, dedicated a new historical marker at 460 Clocks Boulevard to commemorate the site of the original Chin Chin Ranch — once home to famed early 20th-Century entertainer Fred Stone.

Supervisor Saladino stated, “This historical marker highlights a fascinating chapter of Massapequa’s history. Fred Stone’s Chin Chin Ranch reminds us of a time when our Town’s south shore was an open landscape filled with creativity, promise, and possibility. Though the ranch is gone, the stories it holds continue to inspire pride in our community.”

The event was attended by Town officials, Charles Mackie, President of the Historical Society of the Massapequas; William Colfer, Vice President and Senior Historian; and Lisa Bryson, daughter of the late Lillian Bryson, Trustee Emeritus of the Historical Society, who conducted much of the original research and composed the marker’s inscription before her passing.

Fred Stone was one of America’s most celebrated stage performers—an acrobat, vaudeville star, and Broadway actor best known for his iconic role as the Scarecrow in the 1902 stage production of The Wizard of Oz. In 1913, Stone purchased property on what is now Clocks Boulevard, where he built cottages, stables, a polo field, and a riding track—naming it Chin Chin Ranch after one of his hit shows.

Chin Chin Ranch became a cultural hub, attracting notable guests such as Will Rogers, Douglas Fairbanks, Annie Oakley, Leo Carillo, Tom Mix, Rex Beach, and the Duke of Windsor. The Ranch symbolized an era when Long Island’s south shore was both an artist’s retreat and a place of rural beauty within reach of New York City.

Although the Ranch was sold in 1925 and its structures are no longer standing, one of its original cottages was preserved and relocated nearby. The newly installed historical marker ensures that the legacy of Fred Stone and his contributions to the performing arts—and to the story of Massapequa—will endure for generations to come.

“Today, we honor Fred Stone’s legacy and the enduring spirit of creativity that helped shape Massapequa,” added Councilman Hand. “This marker not only commemorates a legendary performer but also celebrates the history that continues to make the Town of Oyster Bay a special place to live.”