I went to Jamestown, New York, to visit the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, but I also wanted to see every Lucy site the town had to offer. Since I grew up watching I Love Lucy, I was looking for more than just the Lucy and Desi Museum exhibits. Most of these landmarks, from her childhood home to the downtown murals and her gravesite, are easy to visit on your own.
I mapped out this Lucille Ball Driving route that starts on the water in Celoron and ends at the cemetery.
Stop 1: Lucille Ball Memorial Park
21 Boulevard Ave, Celoron, NY.
I started my adventures in Celoron. Lucille Ball Memorial Park sits along the water and is home to two statues of the actress: “Scary Lucy” and “New Lucy”.
In 2009, a life-size bronze statue of Lucille Ball was installed here. It was meant to capture her famous Vitameatavegamin pose, but the resemblance didn’t land. Her expression is giving off less comedic icon and more low-budget horror-flick villain, and the statue quickly earned the nickname “Scary Lucy.”
The backlash made national news, and even the original sculptor later acknowledged the piece missed the mark. In 2016, the town unveiled a second statue on what would have been Lucy’s 105th birthday. Officially called “New Lucy” and often referred to as “Lovely Lucy”, the replacement was received far more positively.
Rather than remove the original, Celoron kept both on display. Ironically, “Scary Lucy” is often the bigger draw, and I admit I couldn’t wait to see it myself.
The park itself was once the site of Celoron Park, a large amusement park known as the “Coney Island of Lake Chautauqua.” Lucy’s grandfather worked there, and Lucy herself also worked at the park for a time. Today, it’s a lakeside park with a boardwalk and boat launch and a pretty view of Chautauqua Lake.
Stop 2: Lucille Ball’s Childhood Home
59 Lucy Lane, Celoron, NY
The house at 59 Lucy Lane is where Lucille Ball spent most of her childhood years. After her father died, Lucy’s mother moved the family in here with her grandparents, Fred and Flora Belle Hunt.
When Lucy lived here, the street was known as West 8th Street. It was renamed in her honor in 1989. The home is a private residence and isn’t open for tours, so I kept my visit to a brief drive-by.
The current owners are actually superfans who have worked to restore the home to its 1920s appearance. They even painted the garage to match her famous polka-dot dress.
If you want a look at what it looks like on the other side of the front door, this video gives a peek inside:
Stop 3: Lucille Ball’s Birthplace
60 Stewart Ave, Jamestown, NY
Lucille Ball was born on August 6, 1911. This house marks the very beginning of her story, though it wasn’t a place she spent much time.
Because of her father’s work with the telephone company, Lucy lived in several other states during her early childhood, including Montana, New Jersey, and Michigan. After her father died, her mother returned to the Jamestown area to be closer to family.
The house is a private residence, so I just did a simple drive-by.
Stop 4: The Downtown Murals
Jamestown has five large-scale Lucille Ball murals downtown. They are close enough to see in one quick circuit, mostly centered around 3rd Street.
“California, Here We Come!” Mural (33 Forest Ave): The largest mural in town spans 1,800 square feet and depicts the cast crossing the George Washington Bridge on their journey from NYC to Los Angeles.
Vitameatavegamin Mural (115 E 3rd St): Located on the side of a parking garage near the corner of Spring Street. It’s a massive tribute to the iconic 1952 Vitameatavegamin episode.
Lucy and Desi Mural (115 E 3rd St): This one is right next to the Vitameatavegamin mural on the same wall. It’s a glamorous shot of the couple, with Desi holding his signature straw hat.
“Job Switching” Mural (18 E 3rd St): Just a block west, this mural depicts the chaos of the chocolate factory assembly line, one of my very favorite episodes.
Lucy and Desi Postage Stamp Mural (300 E 3rd St): Located on the side of the building that houses the Post Office. It’s a recreation of the 1999 33-cent commemorative stamp.
Stop 5: Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown
18 E 2nd St, Jamestown, NY
I stopped briefly at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre to see a piece of Lucy’s legacy that still operates as a performance space. The building began as a vaudeville house and movie theater that Lucy visited as a girl, and the theater company itself dates back to 1920. It was officially renamed in her honor in 1991.
In 1929, Lucy was cast in the company’s production of Within the Law, playing Aggie Lynch in her first stage role outside of school. She later remained connected to the theater and supported it over the years. I only did a drive-by, but the building stands as a reminder that her career began on a local stage long before she became a household name.
Stop 6: Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum (The Lucy Desi Museum)
2 West 3rd St, Jamestown, NY
I spent some time at the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, which focuses on the lives and careers of the couple rather than just the sitcom. I saw original costumes, props, scripts, and awards that trace their trajectory from early radio and film work into television fame.
The exhibits also cover the business side of things, specifically the creation of Desilu Studios. It was interesting to see the behind-the-scenes decisions that ended up shaping how early television was produced.
One of the highlights for me was walking through the re-created I Love Lucy sets, including the Ricardos’ New York apartment. These were built from the original set designs, and standing there gave me a clear sense of how the show was staged and filmed.
You can take photos of the artifacts and sets as you walk through, provided you don’t use a flash. If you want a photo in Lucy and Ricky’s living room, the museum offers a photo experience that lets you step onto the New York set and sit on the furniture. Otherwise, you’re free to snap pictures from the viewing area.
Stop 7: Lake View Cemetery
907 Lakeview Ave, Jamestown, NY
I finished my Lucille Ball trail stops at Lake View Cemetery, where she is buried alongside her family. She wasn’t originally laid to rest in Jamestown; after she died in 1989, she was buried in California. In 2002, her children moved her ashes to the family plot in New York to fulfill her wish of being near her mother.
Finding her gravesite was easier than I expected. I entered through the main gate and followed the small painted arrows and red hearts on the pavement. They lead straight to the Hunt family plot, where Lucy’s headstone sits along a short walkway.
The plot includes her mother, Desiree, her brother, and her grandparents. It is a quiet, simple spot that feels a world away from the Hollywood fame her career eventually brought her. Since this was the final stop on my route, it felt like a natural place to end the story where it ultimately came full circle.
The plot includes her mother, DeDe, her brother, and her grandparents. Lucy’s headstone is easy to spot, with “Ball” set inside the familiar heart shape from the show’s logo.
If You Have More Time
- National Comedy Center (203 W 2nd St): If you aren’t in a rush, this museum is a massive, high-tech experience. It places Lucy in the broader context of comedy history. Allow at least two hours to explore everything.
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