Herschell-Spillman

The Allan Herschell Company was a company that specialized in the creation of amusement rides, particularly carousels and roller coasters. The company manufactured portable machines that could be used by traveling carnival operators. It was started in 1915 in the town of North Tonawanda, just outside Buffalo, New York, United States.

History

Armitage–Herschell Company

Scottish immigrant Allan Herschell, with James Armitage, created the Armitage–Herschell Company in 1872. Originally an iron foundry, it branched out into hand-carved wooden carousels in 1883. That same year, Herschell's son William traveled to London to meet former Limonaire Frères employee Eugene de Kleist. Backed by Armitage–Herschell, in 1888, de Kleist set up band-organ production in North Tonawanda, founding the North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory. The company produced a range of barrel-organ based products, suited for all ranges of fairground attraction. Armitage–Herschell carved many portable carousels, made in the simple "country fair" style. Surviving steam riding galleries are located in Mississippi and Maine. In 1901, Herschell left the company due to financial complications, thus allowing de Kliest to buy the pair out, and seek new investment from his association with Rudolph Wurlitzer. Armitage–Herschell declared bankruptcy and went out-of-business in 1903.

Herschell–Spillman Company (later Spillman Engineering Company)

Herschell created the Herschell–Spillman Company in 1901 with his in-laws, the Spillmans. After Armitage–Herschell declared bankruptcy in 1903, Herschell–Spillman bought its assets. Herschell–Spillman started out creating and carving carousels in the basic "country fair" style, but later branched out to larger park machines, such as elaborate carousels with many types of animals. Surviving carousels can be found in California, Michigan, Maryland, and the Herschell–Spillman Noah's Ark Carousel in Portland, Oregon. Herschell–Spillman also constructed engines for the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company and the Daniels Motor Company. The Herschell–Spillman Motor Company Complex at North Tonawanda was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. Herschell retired from the company due to declining health in 1911..

The company dropped Herschell's name in 1916 and became known as the Spillman Engineering Company. It continued to make the same style of carousels, though later it focused more on horses with a few menagerie-styled machines. Surviving carousels can be seen in North Carolina and the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. It went out-of-business in 1945 when it was bought out by the Allan Herschell Company.

Allan Herschell Company

The Allan Herschell Company, founded in 1915 after Herschell came out of retirement, was the last company he created; it became a competitor for the Spillman Engineering Company. Herschell specialized in horses with rigid poses and portable machines, which enabled them to be packed and shipped easily between towns. Herschell produced over 3,000 carved wooden carousels, which were shipped all over the United States and Canada, as well Mexico, South Africa, and India. Its factory, bought in 1915, is located on Thompson Street in North Tonawanda. It is one of the last factory complexes in the United States to contain the production of wooden carousels. The complex was expanded to meet the growing company's needs. The building has a large carving shop, a woodworking shop, a paint shop, a storage area, an upholstery shop, a machine shop, and a roundhouse where the carousels were assembled and tested. Herschell created other amusement rides besides carousels. He thought up the concept for rides specialized for small children, called "Kiddieland". Twister, Hurricane, Flying Bobs, and the Sky Wheel were thrill rides that catered towards adults. The company moved to Buffalo, New York, in the 1950s, and in 1970, it merged with rival amusement park company Chance Manufacturing of Wichita, Kansas.

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, at the original factory site on Thompson Street, opened to the general public in July 1983, with a full operational carousel from 1916. The first floor of the factory has been opened up to provide exhibits and demonstrations. Different programs are offered, such as woodcarving of various skill levels, guided tours, and a summer lecture series. Special programs, such as the Youth Volunteer Program and Neighborhood Partners Program, are offered to young people and local elementary-school children.

Surviving Allan Herschell Company rides

Carousels

Trains

* G-12 gauge miniature train
* G-16 gauge miniature train
* S-16 "1865" gauge miniature train
* S-24 "Iron Horse" gauge miniature train

Other rides

* Caterpillar, at Canobie Lake Park, Salem, New Hampshire, US
* Caterpillar, at Heritage Park Historical Village, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
* Looper, at Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pennsylvania, US
Red Baron Wild Waves Theme 7 Waterpark

List of roller coasters

As of 2019, Allan Herschell Company has built 185 roller coasters around the world.Allan Herschell Company - rcdb.com
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References

Bibliography

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External links

National Carousel Association 24 Nov 2008

{{DEFAULTSORT:Herschell
1915 establishments in New York (state)
1970 disestablishments in New York (state)
American companies disestablished in 1970
Amusement ride manufacturers
Carousel manufacturers
Culture of Buffalo, New York
Roller coaster manufacturers
Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1970
Manufacturing companies established in 1915
Motor vehicle engine manufacturers
North Tonawanda, New York