Lions, tigers, bears, horses, giraffes and panthers can be seen — as can camels, rabbits, hyenas and an occasional sea monster. Welcome aboard an antique carousel and its menagerie of magical-appearing animals. In this age of hyper-realistic video games, merry-go-rounds seem quaint. While the figures do seem to kick up their hooves and bare their teeth, they do so gently.
A carousel is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating platform with seats for passengers. The seats are attached to wooden horses or other animals, which are moved in a manner to simulate galloping.
While the terms are often used interchangeably, an authentic carousel features horses only; a merry-go-round includes all sorts of animals. “Carousel” is the name most often used in North America, while in Europe the term “merry-go-round” is more common; however, both terms today mean about the same thing.
Merry-go-rounds are the only rides you can get on as a child, take your own children on as an adult, and ride yourself as a senior citizen. Taking a spin on one of America‚s surviving classic carousels is an “authentic” experience, to be sure. This may be the only contrivance that you can enjoy exactly the way your grandparents did.
Carousel History
The word “carousel” comes from the Italian garosello and Spanish carosella (translated as “little war”), used by Christian crusaders to describe an equine combat exercise. Crusaders brought the idea of combat preparation back with them from the Holy Land to their native countries.
Carousels operated at social gatherings in central Europe and England. By 1745, wagon maker Michael Dentzel had succeeded in converting his wagon-making business in what is today southern Germany into a carousel enterprise. Animal figures were crafted during the winter months and the family then went touring, operating their menagerie carousel for the entertainment of patrons at various venues.
In this country, early carousels were put together by farmers who wanted to create interesting playthings for their children. These farmers attached primitively carved horses to a simple carousel that was powered by mules.
Around the turn of the 20th century, some Oregon towns began placing picnic groves at the end of trolley lines to attract riders; eventually those groves were turned into amusement parks. Such facilities often featured a carousel.
During the Great Depression, many amusement parks closed. Carousels were dismantled and their carved horses discarded, except for those that were retired to the homes of park employees and other enthusiasts who came under their spell. Some 75 years ago, as carousels began approaching endangered species status, people started collecting them in earnest.
Between l885 and 1930, American craftsmen created more than 3,000 hand-carved wooden carousels. Today, fewer than 200 still operate in this country.
Woodworkers spent most of their time carving horses that rode on the outside of the carousel. The horse that is on the outside directly behind the chariot is referred to as the lead horse. These are usually the fanciest on the ride. Benches for people who do not want to ride a horse are called chariots.
Craftsmen carved their horses in three styles. Country Fair Style animals, built by such carvers as Allan Herschell, were produced for rural fairs. Made to be durable, the horse’s ears were carved flat against the head to protect them from bangs and bumps received during transport. Coney Island Horses, built by such carvers and companies as Charles Looff, Charles Carmel and Stein & Goldstein, are known for their flowing manes and rose bouquet features. The name derives from the place where these horses once frolicked: the Coney Island, New York, amusement park. These are passionate-appearing animals that have their ears pinned back, nostrils flaring, eyes wide. Carved horses done in the Philadelphia Style are the most realistic appearing of all carousel creatures. These horses are so lifelike, some look as though they could enter an actual race and compete against live horses.
Humanlike carvings, known as side figures, sometimes appear with the animals. A Dentzel carousel that once operated in a Portland park featured a tiger with a side figure of Teddy Roosevelt charging up San Juan Hill.
Carousels Around Portland
Founded in 2004, the Albany Historic Carousel and Museum seeks to create a world-class carousel complex in downtown Albany that will draw visitors from all over. The mission of the city fathers is to construct a fully functional carousel that will hold a variety of hand-carved animals. Their goal is to have the project completed in five years. For more on the subject, visit www.albanycarousel.com.
Salem’s Riverfront Carousel (101 Front Street N.E., Salem, OR) is located in Riverfront Park along the banks of the Willamette River. The hand-carved horses represent a variety of carousel types. For more on this subject, visit http://salemcarousel.wix.com/salemcarousel.
Carousels around Portland include ones located in Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 S.E. Oaks Parkway, and at Jantzen Beach Center, a shopping mall situated on Hayden Island in the Columbia River. Funtastic Shows (3407 SE 108th Avenue) also operates a carousel.
Carousels are more than nostalgic rides; they are a fascinating combination of science, history and art at work. Remembering the days of merry-go-rounds, our minds revert back to wonderful childhood memories. Exquisitely carved carousel figures forever remain part of a pleasant childhood.
Joe Zentner is a freelance writer and long-time carousel enthusiast.
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