Perhaps you can hear the distant calliope music? That’s the sound of the Carousel at Lagoon Amusement Park near Salt Lake City. It’s a call to simpler times. It’s an invitation to ride a piece of history.
The Carousel isn’t just a ride. It’s a meticulously maintained antique. Lagoon has had a carousel since its early days as Lake Park. The first one was even mule-powered. This current Carousel has been spinning since 1918.
Imagine the journey this Carousel has taken. It was purchased from a park on the California coast for $14,000. That equates to about $257,000 today. That was a lot of money back then.
The Carousel is a Herschell-Spillman menagerie carousel. It has three rows of beautifully crafted animals. You can choose from 23 jumping horses. Nineteen menagerie animals are also available. Look for the cat, dog, lion, pig, stork, and tiger. There is also a deer, a dragon, a goat, and a llama. Two roosters, zebras, mules, and frogs add to the fun.
There is even a very small swan and bear. They are designed for the youngest riders. The carousel also features a chariot. A rocking chariot bench is available. A rotating lover’s tub completes the ride.
The National Carousel Association believes it was made around 1913. Lagoon thinks it might be older dating back to 1893. The 1913 date seems more accurate. The design matches other Herschell-Spillman carousels from 1910-1915. The Herschell-Spillman Company was formed in 1903. Allan Herschell and Edward Spillman bought the Armitage-Herschell company.
From 1913 to 1918, the Carousel resided in Santa Monica, California. Then it found its permanent home at Lagoon.
In 1953, a large fire threatened the Midway. A steady stream of water saved the Carousel. It has been refurbished and repainted over the years. In 2012, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Carousel is the oldest ride at Lagoon. It is one of the few hand-carved wooden carousels still operating. Take a spin on this beauty. Enjoy a piece of history. Remember the craftsmanship. Appreciate the joy it brings. The Lagoon’s Carousel awaits you.