EXPLORE LAGOON: RIDES: Helicopters 

  

 

Opened: 1963

Location: Kiddie Land

Manufactured By: Allan Herschell Company

Number Of Helicopters: 8

Ride Capacity: 16 (2 per helicopter)

Height Requirement: 54" maximum

 

history & info

Each helicopter circles around while riders move a handle back and forth to change their altitude.

      This is one of the older kiddie rides still running. It was added to the fairly new Mother Goose Land area in 1963. It's been painted in several different color schemes. Currently, there are two each of four different helicopter designs. There's one for the Lagoon Fire Department, Police Department, Army and even KSL's Chopper 5.

      Allan Herschell started out working in a engine and machine shop. Later, he formed the Herschell-Spillman Company with his brother-in-law. This company built the hand-carved wooden Carousel at Lagoon. After retiring in 1911 due to poor health, Herschell returned to the carousel business to form the Allan Herschell Company in 1915 in New York and specialized in carousels and other rides. After his death in 1927, the company continued to make carousels as well as children's rides. Many of these rides still operate in parks across the country. In the 1930's, John Wendler and his family acquired ownership of the company which was sold to rival Chance Manufacturing in the 1970s. Other Allan Herschell rides at Lagoon have included Baby Boats, Kiddie Coaster, and Sky Fighter.

 

photos

 

The Helicopters today.

Photo: Nile Miskin

 

Here's a 1973 photo of Helicopters. In the background you can see other Mother Gooseland rides of that time.

Photo: Laura Moncur, Starling Travel

 

This veneer of the helicopter ride made a great photo op in 1973.

Photo: Laura Moncur, Starling Travel

  

SOURCES

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, March 2007

Lagoon Press Kit, 2007

 

Updated 30 Jan 2008