Myrtle Beach Pavilion- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach Pavilion is often forgotten as one of America's great ocean side amusement parks. No, it does not have the antique ride collection of Rye Playland or the funky charm of New York's Coney Island. However, the flat ride collection is one of the best assembled in any amusement park in the United States. In addition, their two water rides, a Hopkins flume and whitewater rapids ride, are both exciting attractions that are shoehorned into the park. However, the crown jewel in the Myrtle Beach Pavilion collection is their 1912 Herschell-Spillman carousel. The ride is visible as you approach the park because it parks the northeast corner of the park and is on the "main drag" through town, enchanting and engaging passers-by.

According to the National Carousel Association this ride was carved in 1912, but Painted Ponies lists it as a machine that dates from 1915. The NCA goes on to say that this attraction's original location is unknown, but that it operated at Oxford Lake Park in Alabama until 1950, when it was then moved to Myrtle Beach Pavilion. The machine features a tiered floor (the outside row is set at a lower level than the inner two) that has sixteen jumpers, eleven standers and an amazing twenty-three menagerie figures. It is one of the Herschell-Spillman company's best-kept machines, there are even metal doors lowered every night to protect the ride from vandalism and the wear and tear of the sea. In the tourist trap of Myrtle Beach it is amazing to see such a work of art still spinning for people of all ages to enjoy.


The lead horse is a beautifully carved machine and is reminiscent of some of the leads the P.T.C. was carving around this time.		The carousel is protected in this great pavilion.	This dragon is a beautiful color and almost like it comes out of the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

The giraffe is reminiscent of the Dentzel company's carvings and is on the lower-tier because it is so tall.	This beautiful Wurlitzer organ was sadly not working on my visit.	The carousel has a classic operating set-up, complete with a bell to let riders know that the ride has started.	The Herschell-Spillman sign is visible on the artwork in the center column. Note the unique rooster character.