Paragon Park Carousel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Paragon Park Carousel
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1 Wharf Ave., Hull, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Carrera, Frank; Weiss, Gustav, et al. |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001081 |
| Added to NRHP | September 14, 1999 |
The Paragon Park Carousel (also known as PTC #85) is a very old and special carousel located at 1 Wharf Avenue in Hull, Massachusetts. It was built in 1928 by a company called the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. This carousel is one of the few "four-wide" carousels left in Massachusetts. It is also the only part of the famous Paragon Park amusement park that is still standing today. The carousel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 because of its importance.
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What is the Paragon Park Carousel Like?
The Paragon Park Carousel is found in the southern part of Hull. It sits near Nantasket Beach, which has been a popular summer spot since the 1800s. The carousel is inside a unique twelve-sided building. This building has stucco walls and a wide, bell-shaped roof.
The Building's Design
The roof of the carousel building has deep edges and you can see the wooden beams underneath. Each side of the building has a large door that lifts up, like a garage door. Above these doors, there are four windows. The roof was specially designed to fit the carousel inside. It has a wavy, scalloped top with rounded sections called "barrel vaults."
Inside the Carousel Building
The inside of these rounded sections is painted to look like a sky with clouds. The edges are decorated with small angels (cherubs), fancy designs (cartouches), and pictures of places from around the world. The carousel itself has many wooden arms that hold the horses.
The Carousel Animals
There are 66 horses on the carousel in total. Forty-two of these horses move up and down as the carousel spins. The horses on the very outside of the carousel stay still. There are also two special chariots, which are like fancy wagons. Each chariot looks like it is being pulled by two horses.
History of the Paragon Park Carousel
The first carousel at Paragon Park was built in 1920. The carousel you see today was built later, in 1928, also by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC). It is thought that some parts of this carousel might have come from another company called the Dentzel Carousel Company. PTC bought Dentzel's parts in 1928.
A Rare and Musical Ride
This carousel is one of only 18 "four-wide" carousels ever made by the PTC. It is also one of only two such carousels built before 1950 that are still in Massachusetts. The music for the carousel comes from a special Wurlitzer #146-B Band Organ. This organ has a fancy front, called a facade, and is owned by Bill Luca.
From Amusement Park to Historic Landmark
The Paragon Park Carousel was a popular ride at Paragon Park until the park closed down in 1984. When the park closed, many of its parts were sold off. However, a group of local people worked together to save the carousel. They bought most of its parts. In 1986, the carousel was moved a short distance to where it stands today. Now, a group called the Friends of the Paragon Carousel takes care of it and keeps it running for everyone to enjoy.
