The Eyeless, Lizard-Skinned JFK Head That’s Freaking Out Asbury Park
Asbury Park, known for its beach vibes and legendary music scene, also has a downright weird piece of presidential art you’d never expect to find in a peaceful city park. Sitting in Kennedy Park, there’s a statue of former President John F. Kennedy—well, kind of. The head is unmistakably JFK’s, but then you notice the details… and things get real strange, real fast.
It’s just a head. No body. It’s pretty creepy if you stumble across it by accident at night too.
Imagine this: no eyes, just empty, gaping holes, like someone plucked them out and never bothered to replace them. And then, as if that wasn’t unsettling enough, the entire surface of JFK’s face is covered in skin that looks like it belongs on a lizard. Why, you ask? For reasons that are still unclear, local sculptor Fritz Cleary decided to give this 20th-century president a face straight out of the Bronze Age.
Yep, you read that right. Cleary, who not only sculpted this eerie tribute but also managed the local Fine Arts Society, seemed to take some “creative liberties” when crafting JFK’s likeness. His inspiration? Mediterranean sculptures from the Bronze Age that often had hollow eye sockets where glass beads used to sit. Except here, there were never any glass beads. It’s just JFK, with his soulless stare and a scaly complexion, chilling on a pedestal in downtown Asbury Park.
The statue was unveiled in 1964, at the height of JFK nostalgia during the Democratic National Convention, which happened to be held nearby in Atlantic City. Maybe everyone was too distracted by the politics to question why the president now looked like he was auditioning for a role in The Mummy. Over time, the bronze head has taken on a greenish tint from oxidation, making it look like it was pulled from the ocean depths, a relic from some lost Atlantis.
The statue is perched on a pedestal in the middle of Kennedy Park, right at the intersection of Cookman and Grand Avenue. It might look out of place, but it’s undeniably one of those bizarre local quirks that keep Asbury Park interesting.
Next time you’re in the area, swing by and check it out. Just don’t stare into those eyeless sockets for too long—you might get the feeling JFK is staring right back!