The Central Park Carousel

Central Park, Manhattan

          When it opened Central Park; a unique expression of urban architecture, was north of New York City.   The park was designed by Calvert Vaux & Frederick Law Olmstead and opened shortly after the Civil War.   Central Park was a different understanding of the urban experience as it was man's interpretation of nature brought into the formidable urban jungle.  Vaux and Olmstead placed flowing streams, beautiful lakes and sweeping vistas into a city that previously had few square feet dedicated to nature.  By 1871, when the park's first carousel opened, New York had begun to creep around it.  A carousel seems like a natural fit for the park; the horses prancing up and down act as a stable for the masses where anyone of any class can ride.

          Famed carousel historian Frederick Fried said that the park's earliest carousel was mule-powered.  The mule was below the floor and turned the center pole, which also turned the carousel.  Fried also said that, "Stopping and starting signals were given by taps on the wooden floor."  The ride was partially destroyed in a 1954 fire, bought by a group in the Bronx but Fried did not know what became of it.  However, some sources say that it was acquired in 1951, so the actual acquisition date will remain an open question until definite historical proof is found.  After the fire park officials looked for a replacement, but there were not lots of affordable carousels to be found and moving costs prevented the purchase of some.  

          The carousel that was eventually bought originally ran at Coney Island, much like the Prospect Park carousel.  According to Coney Island historian Jeffery Stanton the ride was called the BMT Trolley Carousel and ran from 1908 through the early 1940's.  At that time New York City bought the carousel and put the ride in storage.  Central Park officials were unsure what to do about finding a replacement for the fire-damaged carousel when someone remembered it.  The carousel was then removed from storage, the Michael Friedsam Foundation provided the necessary refurbishment funding  and moved to its current location in Central Park.

          The carousel was carved by Solomon Stein and Harry Goldstein, two Russian immigrants who met in William F. Mangels shop at Coney.  Their carvings were done in the Coney Island style, but the thing which set them apart from other carvers was the sheer size of the horses and the Central Park Carousel is no exception.  The carvings here are quite large, and although a bit cruder than the pair's later work, the fifty-two jumpers, five standers and two chariots are beautiful.  I have only found confusion on the organ.  Painted Ponies lists it as a Geburder, while other sources said it is a Ruth & Sohn 33 which was converted to handle Wurlitzer 150 music rolls.  Today the carousel still spins and is enjoyed by all ages within the park's confines.  The carousel's phone number is: (212)879-0244 and is located where 64th Street would run through the park.  It is a work of art and should be visited when in the area.  The inner drum has some nice clown depictions on it, but my favorite part was the seal balancing a ball on his nose.  The Central Park Carousel feels as much a part of New York as the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building.  While it does not facilitate commerce, the carousel speaks as much about the American dream as the statue in the harbor.

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Adam Sandy, Copyright 2001.