Michigan

Flint

Genesee County

Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad

Crossroads Village is home to a most beautiful 1912 C. W. Parker portable carousel or Carry-Us-All as Parker referred to them. The carousel, manufactured in Leavenworth, Kansas, is a 40-foot diameter, 3-row with 36 jumpers, four kiddie horses (metal), one chariot and a Nanny’s bench. The horses are of the vintage where the Parker horses had evolved primarily from the country style type to more of a modest Coney Island type complete with jewels. The rounding boards and scenery panels are gorgeous.

Although the original location of the carousel is unknown, it may have been originally based in El Paso, Texas from about 1912 to about 1943 where it traveled to various fairs and carnivals throughout the Midwest, West and Western Canada. In 1943, the carousel moved to Fairmont Park in Riverside, California where it remained until 1978. The carousel was in storage until 1983 when it was acquired by Crossroads Village. The carousel has been completely restored and is excellently maintained. It is housed in a beautiful pavilion.

The band organ is a 1925 Artizan Style A.

Rides on the carousel are $1.50.

Crossroads Village and the Huckleberry Railroad, operated by Genesee County Parks, is where you can step into history. The Village forms the core of an open-air folk museum featuring 30 beautifully restored, vintage buildings and structures that have been moved from other parts of the county and state. The Huckleberry narrow-gauge railroad features a 40-minute steam locomotive ride on the shores of Lake Mott. You can also have a 45-minute cruise on the Genesee Belle, a replica of a Mississippi river paddlewheel boat. In addition to the historic carousel, there are other vintage amusement rides including a 1910 Parker Superior Wheel (one of only three Parker wheels still in existence) and a Mangels Pony Cart ride for children.

The Huckleberry Train Station at Crossroads Village

Crossroads Village and the Huckleberry Railroad are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There are many special days and events throughout the summer season. In addition, there are special events at Halloween and Christmas. If near Flint, do not miss Crossroads Village and the Huckleberry Railroad. We loved it!! Genesee County is lucky to have Crossroads Village and the Huckleberry Railroad. Thanks to Genesee County for preserving our history and investing in our past!

For information on operating times call 810-736-7100 or access their web site at http://geneseecountyparks.org/crossroads-village/.

We wish to thank Denise Bowles, Crossroads Village Manager, for connecting us with Clifford and Sharon Black who took valuable time from their day to show us this classic carousel and explain its history when Crossroads Village was not yet open for the season. We had a wonderful time!

For further information:

The National Carousel Association

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

Genesee County Parks

Crossroads Village and the Huckleberry Railroad

http://geneseecountyparks.org/crossroads-village/

Carousel Pavilion

The beautiful double flag horse.

Kiddie horses in front of Nanny Bench.

A selection of Rounding Boards and Scenery Panels

Artizan Band Organ

Rare Parker Superior Wheel

Mangels Pony Cart Ride

Grand Rapids

Public Museum of Grand Rapids

A beautifully restored and maintained 1928 Spillman Engineering 3-row carousel with a mixture of Carmel, Looff, Herschell-Spillman and Spillman Engineering figures which includes 40 jumpers, 4 standers and 3 menagerie figures including one each of a tiger, lion and whale and one chariot resides at the beautiful Public Museum of Grand Rapids. The National Carousel Association indicates that there are also a goat, deer and giraffe on the platform, but they were not there when we visited. The museum web site also mentions a goat, deer and giraffe.

The carousel was originally at Lakewood Park in Barnesville, Pennsylvania from 1928 to 1982 after which it moved to the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. After a full restoration, the carousel opened in 1994.

The band organ is a 1928 Wurlitzer 157.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a wonderful museum that appeals to all ages. We think this is the best museum we have ever visited.

For opening and operating times call 616-929-1700 or access the museum web site at www.grmuseum.org.

For further information:

The National Carousel Association

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

A Selection of Rounding Boards and Scenery Panels

Holland

Windmill Island Gardens

The carousel at Windmill Island Gardens was manufactured in 1908 by DeBoer Brothers from Alteveer, The Netherlands. It is a very well maintained 2-row park model with 24 standers, 4 menagerie animals (2 zebras and 2 pigs) and 2 chariots. The carousel has been at Windmill Island Gardens since 1971.

Windmill Island Gardens is beautiful at any time of the year, but it is very special at Tulip Time!

For information on opening and operating times call 616-355-1030 or access their web site at www.windmillisland.org.

For further information:

The National Carousel Association

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

One of the ceiling and inside wall panels.

Holland

Nelis’ Dutch Village

Nelis’ Dutch Village is a small amusement park with a Dutch theme. The park offers demonstrations, shops, and a few rides including a 1924 Spillman Engineering carousel. The carousel is a 3-row park model with 20 jumpers and two chariots. A couple of horses were missing when we visited. The original location of the carousel is unknown, but it is known that the carousel resided at the Flying Lady Restaurant in Gilroy, California. It spent a year or two at the Castle Golf Center in Redondo, Beach California in 1977 and/or 1978. The carousel has been at the Dutch Village since 1983.

For information on opening and operating times call 616-396-1475 or access their web site at www.dutchvillage.com.

For further information:

The National Carousel Association

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

Rounding Boards