Mystery Of Ponyhenge: A Rocking Horse Graveyard In MA

It's a typical sunny day and the road is winding at least 30 minutes outside of Boston. Flanked by farmlands on either side, suddenly, a driver comes upon a field and sees something strange. The closer they get, the more they're able to make out some unusual shapes that appear to be at a standstill... The faces of multiple painted horses, billowing tails that are frozen in place, and bridles slowly come into view.

What a traveler has stumbled upon is the Rocking Horse Graveyard, more affectionately known as 'Ponyhenge' by the locals in Lincoln, Massachusetts. This unusual graveyard is full of forgotten rocking horses that have been left for seemingly no reason - a mystery that has confounded the town of Lincoln since 2010 when it was discovered.

The Mystery Surrounding Ponyhenge, Lincoln's Rocking Horse Graveyard'

At the site of Ponyhenge, visitors can find more than 30 abandoned rocking horses, according to Roadtrippers. The site itself is fairly unique, albeit also creepy - a plethora of toy horses, some lined up in a circle, taking up space in a field that would otherwise just be an uninhabited green space. It's still unclear how or why they've been placed there, as the horses seem to be from any decade and have a variety of features that are tough to pin down to specific origins.

The very first rocking horse to appear, though, wasn't even a rocking horse at all. Roadtrippers report that it began with a little help from those living next to the open field, James Pingeon and Elizabeth Graver. The two placed a headless horseman decoration out in the field following Halloween one year and, as it turns out, they unintentionally started a trend. At its peak, locals have said that there were almost 50 horses in the field, with the number steadily hovering around about 30 today. Many of the rocking horses found in the field would qualify as antiques, which makes them even more of a sight to behold. Some of those found at Ponyhenge even feature real reigns or saddles, as one might find on a vintage rocking horse. Many modern additions have also been added, including plastic horses that are brightly painted and stand out amongst the older rocking horse models.

While this would otherwise be discarded as a field full of unwanted items, many people see Ponyhenge as the great mystery of Lincoln. Every now and then, the rocking horses will change and move, being arranged in various patterns or shifted to create an appearance that was different than the week prior. It's unclear who moves them, and for all the locals know, it could be done under the cover of night or in broad daylight when no one is around. Whatever the case might be, one thing is for sure: it's an oddity that Lincoln seems happy to have.

Ponyhenge: The Unintentional Exhibit That Grows & Changes With The Times

According to the locals who see the unintentional rocking horse exhibit on the regular, they seem to change according to the times, as well as the season. During elections, the horses have been known to sport politic-specific gear, and during the start of the pandemic, someone had thoughtfully placed masks on each horse. During the seasons, such as Christmastime, the horses get festive makeovers that include holiday lights. It's also not unusual to see the horses lined up, as though someone has gotten them ready for their very own miniature Kentucky Derby.

The harmless display of otherwise forgotten rocking horses is one that has become a delight to adults and children, as well as to those visiting the town of Lincoln. While it's a 35-minute drive outside of Boston, it's worth it to those eager to get a glimpse at the unusual version of New England's 'Stonehenge.' While many might wonder why the rocking horses are never taken, it's something that has simply never been an issue, according to the couple next door. While more and more horses continue to be added, there has seemingly never been an issue with any theft, or anyone attempting to destroy the display for any reason. This has only fostered the love for the strange exhibit in its childlike innocence and further supported it as a quirky Massachusetts tourist attraction. It might not be an ancient stone circle, but it's still quite fascinating.

Visiting Ponyhenge In Lincoln, Massachusetts

Just 15 miles west of Boston, visitors will find themselves in Lincoln. The display can be found on Old Sudbury Road, and Ponyhenge is visible roughly half a mile down.