Minnesota

The Land of 10,000 Lakes is home to three beautiful and historic carousels.

Saint Paul

Como Park

Cafesjian's Carousel

The 1914, excellently restored and maintained and gorgeous Philadelphia Toboggan Company #33 resides in a beautiful all-seasons building in Saint Paul’s gorgeous Como Park. The four-row, fifty-foot diameter carousel is populated with 68 jumpers and 2 chariots. The supervising carver was David Lightfoot who was in the employ of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company at the time of its manufacture. Three of the horses were carved by Charles Carmel. The horses are carved in the classic Philadelphia style complete with trappings and secondary carvings. The scenery panels on the rounding boards are beautiful.

The carousel was originally located at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Saint Paul from 1914 to 1989 after which it was moved to Town Square Park in Saint Paul where it remained until 1995. It has been in Como Park until 1999.

Luckily for the residents of the Twin Cities and carousel enthusiasts everywhere, Philadelphia Toboggan Company #33 was rescued from the auction block.

From 1990 to 2000, the carousel underwent a major restoration under the supervision and tutelage of Rosa Ragan. As much as possible, the carousel was restored to its original paint. It is thought that the carousel is only one of three carousels in the country with original paint.

The carousel is owned and operated by Our Fair Carousel, Inc., a non-profit organization.

“The carousel is named for the late Gerard L. Cafesjian, who contributed the major share of the money needed to rescue it from auction, restore it and build its pavilion in Como Park” (http://www.ourfaircarousel.org/aboutcarousel.html).

The band organ is a Wurlitzer 153.

For further information on opening times call 651-489-4628 or access their web site at www.ourfaircarousel.org.

For further information:

Cafesjian's Carousel

http://www.ourfaircarousel.org/aboutcarousel.html

This is an excellent web site that discusses the history and restoration of the carousel.

National Carousel Association

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

Youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPu4oBdSwlA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfUa3Vy9Q8A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8I3iS1uow0

A PTC Signature Horse

Rounding Board

Rollag

West Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion

West Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion is home to a circa 1920 C. W. Parker two-row, portable carousel with 22 jumpers and 3 chariots. Two horses were carved by local artists. The carousel is mounted on its original wagon (as seen in the photos below) with a new center pole. The carousel was probably fueled by a gasoline engine, but it has been converted to operate on electricity and steam. Regrettably, the steam powered mechanism broke a chain before we arrived, so we did not get the opportunity to see the carousel run on steam.

The carousel was part of a traveling carousel from the 1920s to the 1960s. From the 1960s to 1982, the carousel was owned by Ruben Klein of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. The West Minnesota Steam Threshers acquired the carousel in 1982.

The band organ is a Johnson Model 125SP. When we visited the Reunion, a gentleman was plotting from music a band organ roll (see photo below).

For information on opening times call 701-212-2034 or access their web site at www.rollag.com.

For further information:

National Carousel Association

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

Youtube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lJJGGwNdCc

Kiddie Horses

Note Wagon Mounting

Rounding Board

The first step of making a band organ roll.

Shakopee

Valleyfair Family Amusement Park

Philadelphia Toboggan Company #76 carousel is at Valleyfair Family Amusement Park. The 1926, three-row carousel is populated with 28 jumpers, 20 standers and 2 chariots. The horses are carved in the classic Philadelphia style complete with trappings.

The scenery panels, scenery rounding boards and even the “ceiling” of the carousel are beautifully and elegantly illustrated.

The carousel was in Excelsior Park on Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior, Minnesota from 1925 to 1976 when it was acquired by Valleyfair.

The carousel is beginning to show its age and use. The platform is desperate for a refurbishing.

The band organ is an Artizan converted to use Wurlitzer 150 rolls. The façade is from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.

Valleyfair is a 125-acre family-oriented amusement park that opened in 1976. It now features 75 rides including 8 roller coasters. The park also includes a water park called soak city. The park is clean and well groomed, and the personnel very welcoming and friendly.

We wish to thank Kelsey Bartlett for providing us access to the park and carousel.

For information on opening times call 952-445-6500 or access their web site at www.valleyfair.com.

For further information:

National Carousel Association

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

Valleyfair Family Amusement Park

https://www.valleyfair.com/play/rides/carousel

Philadelphia Toboggan Company Signature Horse

One of the Scenery Rounding Boards

Inside the Rounding Boards and Part of the Ceiling

The Ceiling

Scenery Panels

One of the Roller Coasters at Valleyfair