News Summary
The historic carousel at Carousel Garden Amusement Park in City Park has been enchanting visitors and residents for over a century. Known as ‘the flying horses,’ this iconic attraction features 30 jumping horses and unique animals, all housed in a beautiful pavilion. Preserved by the City Park Conservancy, it remains a beloved community landmark, ensuring future generations can experience its magical rides.
New Orleans – The historic carousel at the Carousel Garden Amusement Park in City Park is celebrating over a century of service, providing joy to residents and visitors alike. Known affectionately as “the flying horses,” this iconic attraction is officially over 100 years old and continues to be a major draw for families, especially during the spring and summer seasons.
Currently housed in a distinctive 10-sided pavilion, the carousel features an array of 30 jumping horses, 21 standing horses, as well as a giraffe, a lion, a camel, and two ornate chariots. The carousel operates on weekends during the spring and throughout the summer on Wednesdays and Saturdays, allowing children like 3-year-old Xander Bemiss to enjoy the magical ride on the cherished carousel.
The carousel has been a part of City Park since 1906, although it was relocated in the 1920s from its original placement along City Park Avenue to its current site within the park. Its architectural design and historic significance contribute to its recognition as a treasured piece of New Orleans’ cultural heritage.
The importance of preserving the carousel is highlighted by officials at City Park Conservancy, emphasizing that it represents the park’s attractions and community values. The carousel’s craftsmanship stems from the work of Bartholomew and Timothy Murphy, who were trained under the renowned carousel creator Charles Looff, and their designs reflect the popular styles of Coney Island.
The carousel underwent its last significant restoration in 2013, a project that included removing the horses for inspection and detailed hand-painting to return them to their original splendor. Annual maintenance is now handled by WRF Designs, a family-owned business that has been involved with the carousel for decades. Bill Finkenstein, the founder of WRF Designs, has dedicated over 40 years to restoring the carousel, while his son Gabriel Finkenstein currently leads the restoration efforts.
During restoration, the team has uncovered historical items such as 100-year-old coins and notes nestled within the carousel horses, revealing the scope of the carousel’s long history and its role as a time capsule. The craftsmanship is evident in the carousel’s features, including glass-jeweled eyes that are carefully fitted to ensure durability as the wood of the horses dries.
The community plays a vital role in the carousel’s maintenance and care, ensuring it remains a beloved attraction for generations to come. The continuing support from the community helps maintain this beautifully crafted antique, reaffirming its position as a cherished landmark within New Orleans. With its enchanting rides and historical significance, the carousel is not only a key feature of City Park but a symbol of the local culture that is meant to be preserved and enjoyed by future generations.
The Carousel at City Park stands as a testament to the joy and community spirit that it has fostered over the last century, remaining one of New Orleans’ iconic amusements that evoke nostalgia and delight for all who visit.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: How New Orleans’ Iconic Carousel Keeps Spinning
- Southern Thing: New Orleans’ Iconic Rotating Carousel Bar Celebrates 70 Years
- Garden & Gun: Spin Through Seventy-Five Years of Carousel Bar History
- Maxim: This Iconic New Orleans Hotel is Home to the Famed Carousel Bar
- My New Orleans: City Park’s Carousel Gardens Resumes Weekend Operations
- Wikipedia: Carousel
- Google Search: Carousel history
- Google Scholar: Carousel amusement parks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Carousel
- Google News: New Orleans Carousel
