A short peninsula juts into Central Park Lake at about West 76th Street, affording stellar photo opportunities. “Hernshead” is Anglo-Saxon for “heron head” but according to the birdwatchers, the wading birds like herons and egrets stay away from Hernshead for the most part. A curving path takes you through a maze of flowering vegetation until you are lakeside, which affords a good view of the massive San Remo Apartment towers, built in 1929.
The crown jewel of Hernshead is undoubtedly the Ladies’ Pavilion, which dates back to 1871 and was designed by Jacob Wrey Mould, who also “moulded” the stone creations at Terrace Bridge. It was originally a trolley car shelter at Columbus Circle, but after years of rust and neglect (a theme in Central Park) it was taken apart, repaired and reassembled in the early 1970s. Vandals are always on the attack, and the Pavilion has had to be renovated again at intervals in subsequent years.
The Ladies’ Pavilion is so named because it took the place of the old Ladies’ Shelter, which gave women skating at the old Ladies’ Pond site the opportunity to change from shoes to skates without losing their dignity, a shocking glimpse of stocking and all that. It was likely moved to Hernshead in 1913.
The Pavilion is seen here in August 2006 during the very successful Southern Central Park Forgotten NY tour, one of the few held in the evening to beat the heat. One of FNY’s most successful tours, it attracted more than 40 people.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
10/23/25