Today is National Carousel Day, and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by taking a spin on one of the most beautiful—and historic—carousels in the country: the Grand Carousel at Kings Island.
This stunning 99-year-old classic was built in 1926 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and originally operated at Cincinnati’s famed Coney Island. Purchased for $201,000—a huge sum at the time—it was designated No. 79 in the PTC lineup. The carousel is one of only 89 that the company produced between 1904 and 1934, and it remains one of the few surviving examples of its kind.
When Kings Island opened in 1972, the Grand Carousel was one of the very first attractions brought over from Coney Island to the new park. It features 48 hand-carved wooden horses—28 jumpers and 20 standers—and is accompanied by a beautifully preserved 1918 Wurlitzer Duplex No. 165 band organ. At the time of its original build, the carousel was decorated with more than 20,000 sheets of 23-karat gold leaf and 1,000 sheets of sterling silver.
One of the most fascinating chapters in its history came during the devastating 1937 Ohio River flood. When the waters rose at Coney Island, several carousel horses were swept away and floated down the river. A reward was offered for their return, and remarkably, pieces of the lost horses were recovered—even from as far away as Memphis, Tennessee.
Whether it’s your first ride or your hundredth, the Grand Carousel is a reminder of the timeless joy that carousels bring. I’m glad I could celebrate National Carousel Day today by riding a true piece of amusement park history.
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