Published: July 18, 2008 09:58 pm         

Traveling in the best circles

EDMOND — I absolutely love carousels, so I was thrilled to find a magnificent antique merry-go-round still going around on the Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J. Though spinning rides have a long history, carousels really took off in 1870 when the technology moved from people-powered to steam powered. The golden age of carousels stretched from about 1880 to 1930.

The first notable carvers were European, but true masters emerged in the United States with the arrival of Gustav Dentzel from Germany. Though initially working as a cabinet maker, he soon began following in his father’s footsteps and started building carousels. Other carvers who became well-known for their distinctive styles were Charles Looff, a Danish immigrant, Marcus Illions from Poland and Charles Carmel.

Now known as the Dr. Floyd L. Moreland Carousel, the 1910 Dentzel New Jersey beauty has been the heart of the boardwalk since 1932. It had been a fixture at Burlington Island Park until 1928 when it was damaged by fire and returned to the Dentzel factory for repairs. The carousel business, like today’s car dealerships, apparently took trade-ins, because damaged animals were replaced with creatures done by other carvers, making this a “mixed machine” — but what great replacements. Now visitors can see Dentzel, Looff, Illions and Carmel carvings in one place.

Another unique feature of this carousel is its wonderful Wurlitzer Military Band Organ. In addition to its organ voice, it has drums, cymbals and a glockenspiel. Dr. Moreland, for whom the carousel is now named, ran the carousel when he was a boy and, as a man, has become its champion.

Saved from being dismantled and sold, the carousel has received loving care from many local citizens. Many of the animals bear the name of sponsors who helped with the cost of restoration. One animal is named after Matthew, a seeing eye dog, and his name is written in Braille under the saddle. When I found a lovely palomino with “Elaine” painted on it, of course, I had to ride that one.

Can’t make it to New Jersey? Frontier City’s carousel may be modern but it has a great history. Built for the 150th anniversary of the Smithsonian Institute, it was the centerpiece of a traveling exhibit. It celebrated one of America’s greatest folk art legacies — carousel carving. Molds were made of original wooden figures created by Dentzel, Looff, Carmel, Illions and others. Following its 12-city, two-year tour, it was sold to Premier Parks and brought to Oklahoma City to replace Frontier City’s original carousel, which had been destroyed by a tornado.

A little farther afield is the magnificent Kit Carson County Carousel in Burlington, Colorado. This 1904 carousel was the sixth of 74 built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. This is a stationary carousel — no “jumpers,” as the horses that go up and down are called — so, to add excitement, the manufacturer made it go faster than the average carousel, 12 mph as opposed to the standard eight. Music is supplied by its Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ.

The Kit Carson County Carousel is the only Philadelphia Toboggan Company menagerie carousel still existing. Menagerie carousels featured animals other than horses; this one sports horses, goats, lions and giraffe.

In addition to the carousel, there is a new museum worth a visit. The carousel is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Burlington is just west of Colorado’s eastern border, on I-70.

C.W. Parker of Abilene, Kansas, bought a used carousel in 1896 and repaired it. He soon began doing repairs on other carousels and, eventually, started his own carousel company. He moved his factory to Leavenworth in 1911 and continued building carousels, followed by his son who kept the business going until the 1950s.

Visitors to Leavenworth will enjoy the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, which houses two of Parker’s machines. The most notable exhibit is possibly the oldest carousel in the United States, a primitive, hand-cranked machine that dates to between 1850 and 1865.

Times and tastes change and carousels paled in comparison with roller coasters and ever more exciting rides. In 1964 a carousel aficionado named Fred Fried wrote a book, “Pictorial History of the Carousel,” to commemorate the beauty and artistry of merry-go-rounds. He also founded the National Carousel Association. Rekindling interest in carousels proved to be a double-edged sword. The beautiful horses and animals became collectors’ items and carousel owners discovered they could make more by selling parts piecemeal than by preserving them. From a total of nearly 4000 carousels in the heyday of the merry-go-round, approximately 150 remain.

I plan to see as many as I can.

     

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