EXPLORE LAGOON: RIDES: Carousel
Opened: 1906
Location: South Midway
Built By: Herschell-Spillman Company
Model: Managerie
Motor: 7.5 horsepower electric motor
Motor Speed: 1100 rpm
Ride Length: 1 min 30 sec
Ride Capacity: 50
Height Requirement: Children under 36" must be accompanied by adult.
history & info
This classic Carousel features hand-carved horses and several other animals along with a rocking chariot and a "lover's tub". The ride begins at the sound of a bell. The band organ no longer operates, but music is played on an overhead speaker system.
This is the oldest ride still operating in the park. It was built in 1893 and opened at Lagoon in 1906. I haven't found any information so far as to where it was located before. The National Carousel Association's census information suggests it was somewhere on the west coast. This authentic ride was almost destroyed in the Fire Of 1953. Thanks to a steady stream of water on the roof, the flames were extinguished and the Carousel was saved. It was fully restored for its 100th anniversary in 1993. In 2003, the building and figures were repainted and the big ball on top of the roof, which was a target for gum chewers riding the Sky Ride, was removed and replaced with the American flag.
Very few hand-carved wooden carousels still exist in the U.S. today. Lagoon's is the only hand-carved carousel left in Utah. The only animal wearing clothing is the frog which was based on Mr. Toad from The Wind In The Willows stories. Each figure is original to this carousel and they are all worth quite a bit of money on their own. According to a visitor to the site, one horse finally had all it could handle in 1999 and crashed to the floor.
Allan Herschell began working in the engine and machine industry. In 1882 he married Ida Spillman and years later, founded the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, New York with his brother-in-law, Edward Spillman. Herschell retired in 1911 due to poor health, but four years later, returned to form the Allan Herschell Company. In 1920, Herschell-Spillman became Spillman Engineering and competed for several years with Herschell's new company. Allan Herschell died in 1927, but the Allan Herschell Company continued to produce children's rides including Lagoon's Baby Boats, Kiddie Coaster, Sky Fighter and Helicopters. The factory where Lagoon's Carousel was made is now home to the Herschell Carousel Factory Museum.
photos
Photo: Rick
more photos
in the news
27 Aug 2006: "Merry-go-round" (Standard-Examiner)
SOURCES
Lagoon
National Carousel Association
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
Website Visitors
Updated 3 Feb 2008
