Chin Chin Ranch
Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York
Marker Inscription
1913–1925. Country home of Fred Stone. One of the most acclaimed and beloved stars of American musical comedy for more than half a century.
Erected by Historical Society of the Massapequas
The Story
In the golden age of the American stage, few names shone brighter than Fred Stone, who first won the nation's heart as the Scarecrow in the original 1902 stage production of 'The Wizard of Oz' and went on to headline the 1914 musical extravaganza 'Chin Chin.' It was that hit show that gave this Oyster Bay country retreat its name. From 1913 to 1925, Stone traded the footlights for the fields here, retreating to Long Island between the acrobatic, song-and-dance roles that made him one of Broadway's most beloved performers.
Why it matters
The site preserves the private world of a titan of early-twentieth-century American musical comedy, a reminder of the era when live vaudeville and Broadway spectacle were the country's dominant popular entertainment.
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Related people
- · Fred Stone
Themes & tags
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