Entertainment legend Rod Serling called Upstate New York home for many years. From his birthplace in Syracuse to his school days in Binghamton and to his final resting place overlooking Cayuga Lake, Serling is well-remembered by his legion of friends, admirers and fans.
Serling was born on Christmas Day in 1924 in Syracuse. His first home was at 1324 Madison St., near the northern boundary of the city’s Thorndon Park. He left only a tiny footprint in the city, however, as his parents moved the family to Binghamton before Serling’s 4th birthday.
Binghamton was always the city that Rod Serling called home. He lived at 67 Bennett St. (a house that is still standing), and he and his friends would play in the nearby Recreation Park, just four blocks away. Today, that park is a keystone to memorializing the life of Rod Serling. It is fitting that so many tributes to him can be found in the same place where he played in his youth.
Binghamton is known as “The Carousel Capital of the World.” There are six magnificent carousels dotting the landscape of the city. One of the best is here in Recreation Park. It boasts 60 beautifully painted prancing horses going around and around and was installed in the park in 1923 (the year before young Serling was born). The colorful painted vignettes along the top of the carousel include scenes from some of the most memorable episodes of “The Twilight Zone.”
Just a few feet from the carousel, you will find a tall gazebo that was used as the park’s bandstand in earlier days. A large bronze circular medallion in the center of the gazebo’s floor reads: “Rod Serling, Creator of the Twilight Zone, ‘Walking Distance.’” This refers to a famous episode of “The Twilight Zone” titled “Walking Distance,” which depicts the park and area as the backdrop to the scenes in the show. Serling created this episode with memories of his time playing in the park and on the carousel. “Walking Distance,” always a big favorite with the show’s fans, aired Oct. 30, 1959…