Chesterfield, Missouri
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This was the old entrance to the park. There was an arcade inside and directly through the building was a gorgeous picnic grove. |
It seems that sometimes we forget how lucky we are to have something
as grand as a carousel survive. True, it hurts when we lose a
magnificent carousel, but we also need to celebrate when something like a
Dentzel is saved for posterity. Such was the case of the carousel
that ran for many years at the Forest Park Highlands when it was moved to
Faust Park in Chesterfield, Missouri, where it still spins today, bringing
joy to children of all ages.
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Dentzel's elegance shows in this horse. |
The Forest Park Highlands was the St. Louis's urban
amusement park. For the 1929 operating season the park introduced a
carousel from the Dentzel company which was run at the time by William H.
Dentzel. The ride was manufactured in 1920 but opened at the park
nine years later at a cost of $30,000. The ride gave joy to
thousands of people as the Highlands had many successful seasons.
The park was also hope to a Norman Bartlett Flying Turns ride and a Herb
Schmeck/PTC terrain coaster called the Comet.
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The park's Stinson organ still plays beautifully. |
The carousel had four rows, 45 jumpers, 17 standers, four menageries and two chariots. Sadly, the Highlands burned with many memories in 1963. Fortunately the carousel survived and was bought by St. Louis businessman Howard C. Ohlendorf for $20,000. The ride re-opened in 1965 at Sylvan Springs Park. It closed in 1980, was restored for $250,000 between 1985 and 1987 and received a new building in Faust Park for its May 9, 1987 opening. Today the carousel is well-maintained and receives the love that we wish so many of these works of art could get on a regular basis.
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Some of the carousel's most unique carvings were four reindeer, complete with antlers. |
Nothing beats a spin on a classic carousel. |
The carousel's home since 1987. |
The park's Comet coaster had unique trains which were sold to Paragon Park (sans the retro fronts). [Photo courtesy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch] |
Adam Sandy, Copyright 2001.