Monday, April 18, 2016

Zippy the Pinhead Location: Neptune Pool, Hearst Castle - San Simeon, CA

Neptune Pool
Hearst Castle
"The Old Man Of The Mountain"
San Simeon, CA


N 35° 41.130 W 121° 10.133




Short Description: 

In April 2002, Zippy spent several days at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA and concludes a conversation with William Randolph Hearst by the Neptune Pool.

Long Description:

Construction of the first version of the Neptune Pool occurred between 1924 and 1936. Initially it was to be a “Temple Garden” with an ornamental pool and temple structure. Before construction began the design was changed. It was to be converted into a large swimming pool. The Neptune and Nereid statues, which now occupy the pediment of the temple, were then installed on the grounds.

The pool as it now stands is 104 feet long, 58 feet wide and 95 feet wide at alcove. It is 3.5 feet deep at the west end, 10 feet at drains and holds 345,000 gallons of water. It is heated by an oil burning system and decorated with Vermont marble

Friday, April 15, 2016

Zippy the Pinhead Location: White Hut - West Springfield, MA

White Hut
West Springfield, MA


N 42° 05.793 W 072° 36.085




Short Description: 

A family owned and operated hamburgers and hot dogs landmark since 1939. The White Hut is located at 280 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA



Long Description:

It all began when Edward J. Barkett I bought out his partner in the original White Hut hot dog stand for $300 in 1939. He then bought the nearby property at 280 Memorial Ave., West Springfield, one block west and built the present 600 sq. ft. building. He expanded the menu to include hamburgers , now their signature item. To be able to offer quick service he decided to limit seating to 12 counter stools. This arrangement became a long standing feature of the White Hut.

Edward J. Barkett I continued to run the business until 1985, when control was passed his son Edward H. Barkett who ran the business into the early 90's. His son, Edward Barkett II, then took over the reins. The White Hut has been owned and operated by the Barkett family for 71 years.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Zippy The Pinhead Location: Anthropomorphic Frogs, Frog Pond, Boston Common - Boston, MA

Anthropomorphic Frogs
at the
Frog Pond in the Boston Common
"Prayer Circle"
Boston, MA


N 42° 21.363 W 071° 03.902


Short Description: 

Two anthropomorphic frogs are located at the east end of the Frog Pond on the Boston Common in Boston, MA.

Long Description:

Bronze frogs, performing human tasks, are located by the Frog Pond in Boston Common, Boston, MA. Sculptor David Phillips created these beloved whimsical bronze frogs in 2002. Both are named and engaged in a human activity.



Tommy is fishing in the frog pond. He is sitting on on a cooler with his left foot forward while holding a fishing rod in his right hand. His left hand is holding the fly reel on to pole. On his right side are a can of worms. The worms have big eyes and are upright. One is escaping from the can.

A plaque on the cooler is inscribed:

DAVID PHILLIPS
FROGS IN COMMON
2002



Angela is Tommy's fishing companion. She is sitting on a square block and seems to be in deep thought. Her right hand is by her right cheek and her left hand is between her legs.


Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Historic Figure/Zippy The Pinhead Location - Arthur Fiedler Statue - Boston, MA

Arthur Fiedler Memorial
"Pops"
Boston, MA


N 42° 21.391 W 071° 04.525

Link to Zippy the Pinhead Comic Strip

Short Description: 

The Arthur Fiedler Memorial is located on the Esplanade across from Berkeley Bridge along the Charles River in Boston, MA.




Long Description:

Arthur Fiedler was born on December 17, 1894 in Boston, MA. His father was an Austrian violinist who played in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His mother was a pianist and musician. He attended Boston Latin School before the family moved to Vienna, Austria, in 1910 and then soon to Berlin where Fiedler studied violin at the Royal Academy of Music (Berlin) from 1911 to 1915. Fiedler returned to Boston at the beginning of World War I. and joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra as a violinist, pianist, organist, and percussionist. In 1929, Fiedler was appointed the conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, a position he held until his death on July 10, 1979.

During his tenure as conductor, Fiedler initiated a beloved Boston tradition - free concerts on the Boston Esplanade on the 4th of July at the at the outdoor Hatch Memorial Shell. A gigantic bust of Arthur Fiedler, a memorial to Fiedler, was created by Ralph Helmick and installed on the Esplanade in 1984.

The 6.5' high aluminum head rests on a 1.5' high granite base. It is made by stacking 83 layers of aluminum plates. The front of the base is inscribed:

ARTHUR FIEDLER
MUSICIAN 

The back of the base is inscribed:

CONDUCTOR OF THE BOSTON POPS 1929-1979
FOUNDER OF FREE CONCERTS ON THE ESPLANADE 

On ground in back of the head is inscribed:

THIS MEMORIAL WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH
A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION FROM
THE STORE 24
AN THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF
THE BROWNE FUND
THE PERMANENT CHARITY FUND OF BOSTON
DAVID G. MUGAR
J. F. WHITE CONTRACTING COMPANY
THE ALCOA FOUNDATION
BANK OF BOSTON

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Zippy The Pinhead Location: Donut Dip - West Springfield, MA

Donut Dip
"Round Advice"
West Springfield, MA 


N 42° 08.364 W 072° 37.579

Link to Zippy the Pinhead Comic Strip



Short Description:

The Donut Dip is located at 1305 Riverdale St, West Springfield, MA .  Zippy visited this location on July 8, 2005.



Long Description:

The Donut Dip has been a Western MA institution since 1957. They specialize in a full line of hand-made donuts. The coffee is highly rated as well.

Store Hours:

Monday -      3:00AM-11:45PM
Tuesday -      3:00AM-11:45PM
Wednesday - 3:00AM-11:45PM
Thursday -    3:00AM-11:45PM
Friday -         3:00AM-11:45PM
Saturday -     3:00AM-11:45PM
Sunday -       3:00AM-10:45PM


Monday, April 11, 2016

Roadside Attraction/Zippy the Pinhead - Winsted Diner & Hot Dog Statue - Winsted, CT

Winsted Diner
 & 
Hot Dog Statue
"Adrift"
Winsted, CT


N 41° 55.279 W 073° 04.416

 Link to Zippy The Pinhead Comic Strip



Short Description: 

An anthropomorphic hot dog in a bun stands outside the tiny Winsted Diner at 496 Main Street in the Winsted section of Winchester, CT. Zippy visited this location on October 15, 2005.



Long Description:

Both the Diner and the Hot Dog statue are the attraction in this location. The tiny standalone diner is tucked into a space between larger buildings on both sides. The diner is a popular place for breakfast and lunch but can only seat about 20 customers.

The humanoid hot dog stands east of the entrance to the building. The painted wooden hot dog is wrapped in a bun and dabbled with mustard. The hot dog has a silly face with big eyes and a huge grin. It has its right hand over its right chest. The left arm is missing.


Saturday, April 2, 2016

Historical Figure: General William Tecumseh Sherman - NY, NY

General William Tecumseh Sherman
Memorial
New York, NY


N 40° 45.885 W 073° 58.386



Short Description: 

A monument honoring General William Tecumseh Sherman is located at W. 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.



Long Description:

A 15.5' high gilded bronze equestrian statue of General William Tecumseh Sherman being led by a 10.5' high figure of Nike, the Winged Goddess of Victory, on an oblong granite base comprise the General Sherman Memorial on the southeast corner of Central Park in Manhattan. General Sherman is depicted on horseback wearing a military uniform and cape. The monument was created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and A. Phimister Proctor. Charles Follen McKim was the architect. It was dedicated at the south east corner of Central Park on May 30, 1903.



The sides of the base are decorated with laurel wreaths. The front of the base contains the following dedication:

TO GENERAL 
WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN
BORN FEB 8 1820
DIED FEB 14 1891
ERECTED BY CITIZENS OF NEW YORK
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 

William Tecumseh Sherman was born on February 8, 1820 in in Lancaster, Ohio. He attended the West Point Military Academy and graduated in 1840. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was a colonel in the 13th U.S. Infantry regiment. He then served under General Grant and was a hero of the Battle of Shiloh. Thereupon, General Grant promoted him to the rank of Major General of volunteers. After the Union victory at Vicksburg, MS Sherman was given the rank of Brigadier General in the Regular Army, in addition to his rank as a Major General of volunteers.

Sherman is most famous for his capture of Atlanta during the Georgia campaign and his subsequent march to the sea through Georgia to capture the port city of Savannah. After the war and the election of Grant to the presidency, Sherman became Commanding General of the Army from 1869 to 1883. He died in New York City on February 14, 1891.