Hercules figurehead from USS Ohio.

Figurehead of Hercules

Stony Brook, New York

In 1820 the U.S.S. Ohio became the first ship to be launched from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and its figurehead was a massive, full-color carving of the head and shoulders of Hercules, draped in the skin of a lion he'd killed with his mighty hands.

The ship was scrapped in 1884, but the figurehead was saved, passed from collector to collector over the years. Today it's sheltered in an open-air pavilion next to the water, along with the Ohio's anchor and a whaleboat, supposedly the only surviving relic from a doomed 1870 expedition to the Arctic.

Figurehead of Hercules

Address:: Main St., Stony Brook, NY
Directions:: South entrance to town. In a little open-air pavilion on the west (water) side of the intersection of Main St. and Shore Rd.
Hours:: Lit at night. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission:: Free
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

Nearby Offbeat Places

Mechanical Flapping Eagle, Stony Brook, NY - < 1 mi.

Winnie the Witch, St. James, NY - 1 mi.

Kronos, Stony Brook, NY - 2 mi.

In the region:

Giant Pair of Lady Legs, Sag Harbor, NY - 45 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in New York

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.