Iowa

Mt. Pleasant

MidWest Old Threshers Grounds

This carousel, also referred to as “The Smile Machine”, is a Norman & Evans track, two-row, steam driven machine manufactured in 1894 in Lockport, New York. The steam engine was manufactured by the Herschell-Spillman Co. It has 24 country style jumpers (really rockers) and two chariots. Each horse has a name chosen by one of the very generous donors. The carousel was obviously modeled after the Armitage-Herschell early track machines, but the legs of the horses ate outstretched in contrast to the Armitage-Herschell carvings. This is the only active Norman & Evans carousel! The carousel is in a beautiful building, The Hazel Grace Pierson Pavilion, constructed in 2001. The horses are excellently restored and maintained.

The original location of the carousel is unknown, but it operated at the Old Threshers Reunion in the 1960s and 1970s after which it was moved to Cowtown Park in Wichita, Kansas where it operated from 1989 to 1994. It has been at MidWest Old Threshers since 1994.

The band organ is a Wurlitzer 125 Military.

For information on operating times access their web site at www.oldthreshers.org or call 319-385-8937.

For further information:

Carousel History

https://carouselhistory.com/old-threshers-norman-evans-carousel-history/2/

An excellent story of the purchase of the old carousel and its acquisition by MidWest Old Threshers.

National Carousel Association

https://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Story City

North Park

North Park in Story City is home to a beautiful 1913 Herschell-Spillman two-row carousel with 20 jumpers, 2 roosters, 2 dogs, 2 pigs, 2 chariots and 1 spinning tub. The jumping mechanism is the grasshopper style. The carousel is excellently maintained and housed in a beautiful building. The carousel is owned and operated by the Greater Chamber Connection. The carousel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The carousel operated in a carnival in Iowa until 1938 after which it was purchased from T. P, Gifford of Grundy Center by the Greater Community Congress of Story City. The carousel spent several years in downtown Story City where the carousel was assembled every spring and disassembled every fall. The carousel closed in 1977, but after restoration, it opened in North Park in 1982.

The band organ is a Wurlitzer 105 Military.

We wish to thank Ms. Megan Gustafson for taking time to show us the carousel at a time it was not open. Her knowledge of the carousel and her hospitality are highly appreciated.

For information about operating times, access their web site at https://storycityiowa.weebly.com/the-carousel.html or call 515-733-5214.

For further information:

National Carousel Association

https://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-CLA.html

Story City Greater Chamber Connection

https://storycityiowa.weebly.com/the-carousel.html

Spinning Tub

Rounding Boards

Some Scenery Panels

Wurlitzer Band Organ