The Grand Carousel- Libertyland, Memphis

This beautiful horse is characteristic of Dentzel's simple but beautiful carving style.

Several miles away from the sounds of Beale Street is Libertyland Park. Although the park was built in the 1970's it has a pair of rides that are much older. According to the American Coaster Enthusiasts the Zippin' Pippin was built in 1923 by famous roller coaster designer John Miller for the Mid-South Fairgrounds. Three years before the coaster was installed the fairgrounds bought another ride, the Grand Carousel, from Forest Park in Chicago. It operated there from 1909 to 1920 until a fire burned part of the machine. It was returned to the Dentzel factory, fixed and sold to the fairgrounds. It is not known how often the carousel and coaster operated before Libertyland existed. Both ran during the Mid-South Fair each fall but could have also been open many days each summer to make more money for the fairgrounds.

This postcard from Libertyland shows the carousel's building and the inserts depict the jester from the rounding board and a grand horse.

A lot changed during the 1970's. Theme parks were all the rage and the city of Memphis saw an opportunity to capitalize on some new revenue possibilities. The Mid-South Fairgrounds seemed like a natural place to build the new theme park because the carousel and Zippin' Pippin were already located there, it offered a known amusement center for potential customers and could be combined with the Mid-South Fair each fall. The park opened in 1976 and Libertyland took advantage of America's bicentennial celebration. Many of the rides that opened that year were painted red, white & blue. Like many of the era's new parks Libertyland featured an equal combination of rides and family entertainment. The park was littered with typical carnival and amusement park attractions of the day like a Hrubetz Round Up, an Eyerly Spider and an Eli Bridge Scrambler. However many of the guests flocked to the beautiful Dentzel carousel that had spun on the fairgrounds since the 1920's. The machine was so unique and important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The outside row features this beautiful stander. Notice the unique sea creature carving around the saddle, the beautiful red ribbon and the detailed mane.

The carousel is one of the best-kept Dentzel machines in the country and a beautiful ride. It features 32 jumpers, 16 standers and 2 chariots. The rounding boards feature jester carvings with yellow collars and green, red & yellow hats. These alternate with mirrors that have small angels carved under them. The main colors on the rounding boards and center column are yellow, green, blue and red. The main column has mirrors that reflect down onto the ride and above the mirrors there are several carvings with flowers and pastels. The machine has white lights all over and they provide an elegant illumination that is similar to the lighting scheme this ride would have opened with. The horses' saddles are quite decorative and the carvings often extend the length of the horses' bodies. Although the recently refurbished Dentzel machine at the Texas State Fair might be called the best existing Dentzel, the machine at Libertyland is a treasure and the park should be thanked for taking such great care of it year after year.


The outside of the carousel today.	The beautiful chariot is a great place to relax.	Another outside stander just waiting for a rider.	A great view of the chariot and rounding boards.