Early Carousel History Showcased at Knoebels

By: Lisa Z. Leighton
Previously printed in Lancaster Farming; reprinted with permission by the author.

Elysburg, Pa. – Located near the Log Flume at the back of the park, visitors to Knoebels Amusement Resort will find a hidden gem of carousel history in the Carousel Museum.

The star of the one-room, circular Museum is a menagerie of animals, created in 2014 and displayed in a way that they might have been seen one hundred years ago. Unusual in its display, it features animals such as a chicken dating from 1900, giraffe, zebra, lion, tiger, emu, dog, camel, pig, and several types of jumping horses dating from 1910. It includes six of the eighteen scenes that originally appeared at Knoebels (first) Grand Carousel. Painted in 1913 by August Wolfinger but were covered up with new panels in 1953 due to deterioration and objectionable content.

Surrounding the menagerie carousel, visitors can see firsthand the various styles of carving: Philadelphia - graceful and realistic, Coney Island - flamboyant and lavish, and Country Fair - simpler and portable, all organized by date. Fun advertisements and signs are scattered throughout, from black and white historical signs to bright neon gems.

Visitors can also view carved horses of various ages and makers and historical photos of early manufacturing and carousel displays, all labelled with care. The Museum discusses the long history of carousels as well as carousel terminology – from abreast to trappings.

The menagerie carousel featuring more than a dozen unique figurines, is the centerpiece of the museum.

Carousel History: Abbreviated

Carousel-like games date all the way back to 12^th Century Arabia, while mechanized carousels featuring wooden horses appeared in the 17^th Century, mostly owned by European aristocrats who had them in courtyards to entertain guests, as well as to train young boys in jousting and actual battle.

The carousel came to America in 1867 when German immigrant Gustav Dentzel brought one to his shop in Philadelphia. During the 1870s Charles Dare and Charles Looff opened carousel shops in Brooklyn and the Armitage-Herschell Co. was formed in Tonawanda, NY to begin carousel manufacture in 1883.

The early carousels were simple, with little adornment and with stationary horses – the jumping horse “up and down” mechanism would not be invented until 1905. Early machines were either steam-powered or horse-powered.

The Golden Age of the Carousel was the early 1900s to the late 1920s, and the Carousel Museum takes great care to describe the long history, as well as the decline during the Great Depression, and a renaissance in the 1970s and into today, with much restoration taking place.

Carved horses of various ages, styles, and manufacturers, are featured in the outside circle of the museum.

Knoebels’ First and Second Carousels

After learning about carousel history, take some time to uncover Knoebels’ personal history with carousels. Knoebels’ first steam-powered carousel, which was present when the park opened in 1926, was leased by Joseph Gallagher of Philadelphia and the ride was characteristic of the Philadelphia style of carving. At first, it had a canvas top, then was later replaced with a smaller version of the current building. Knoebels purchased it from the Gallaghers in the 1930s. Pics of the original carousel are carefully framed with pride.

When Knoebels’ Grand Carousel arrived in 1941, the smaller Gallagher merry-go-round travelled to local fairs and carnivals until 1947 when it was sold to Toby Park in Tobyhanna. Sadly, it was destroyed by the flood waters of Hurricane Diane in 1955, though two horses were salvaged, one of which is displayed at the Knoebels Museum.

Knoebels’ famous Grand Carousel was purchased by Henry Knoebel from Charles Schmitt, from Riverside Park in New Jersey and included the two band organs still in use today. It is one of the largest carousels in the world weighing 27 tons and including 63 horses and 3 chariots. It operates in the exact spot that the 1926 carousel was located. It was enlarged in 1942 and enlarged and remodeled again in 1976. The carousel was assembled and operated by George Kremer in the early 1900s and it was originally located in Long Island, NY on the present-day site of LaGuardia Airport.

As you exit, take some time to view the personal carousel collection, including plates and figurines, of beloved Knoebels family member Peg Knoebel, who passed away in 1990.

The Carousel Museum is open when the Park is open and offers free admission as well as a charming gift shop with t-shirts, figurines, and books for sale.