The Looff Carousel in

Pawtucket, Rhode Island Pawtucket ( ) is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 75,604 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making the city the fourth-largest in the state. Pawtucket borders Providence, Rhode Island, Prov ...

is a historic

carousel A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (International English), or galloper (British English) is a type of amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders. The seats are tradit ...

which was built in 1895 by Charles I. D. Looff. The carousel was originally located in a carnival called Lee Funland in upstate, New York. The carousel was relocated to its present location at

Slater Park Slater Park is the oldest and largest public park in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The park is named after Samuel Slater, a famous American industrialist who constructed America's first water-powered textile mill in Pawtucket. The park lies on th ...

in 1910. It is one of only six historic carousels in the United States which still resides in its original building.

Notable Features

The carousel features a functioning North Tonawanda Military

band organ Band or BAND may refer to: Places *Bánd, a village in Hungary * Band, Iran, a village in Urmia County, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran * Band, Mureș, a commune in Romania * Band-e Majid Khan, a village in Bukan County, West Azerbaijan Province, ...

, as well as 44 standing horses, 6 menagerie animals (1 camel, 3 dogs, 1 giraffe, 1 lion), and 2 chariots.

History

In 1910 the City of Pawtucket leased a small lot just southeast of the Daggett House to John Walker of Providence, a noted carousel concessionaire. Walker quickly erected a ten-sided wooden canopy and had the Looff carousel moved from New York to Pawtucket. The carousel began operation in Slater Park by July 1910. Locals referred to the site as "The Darby Horses". On July 3, 2010, the carousel celebrated 100 years of operation in Slater Park."After 100 years, merry smiles still go round.", Providence Journal, July 4, 2010 http://www.projo.com/news/content/LOOFF_CAROUSEL_07-04-10_VKJ3D1B_v24.168dadc.html The carousel was reported to be still well maintained in 2024. Everything is hand painted. Twelve animals are cycled off each year for rehabilitation, and touched up with an eye toward historical accuracy. The admission fee is $1 per person.

Gallery

Image:Pawtucket Looff Carousel Horses.jpg, Some of the original hand carved horses. File:Slater Park carousel horse.jpg, Horse head detail File:Slater Park Looff Carousel.JPG, Exterior

References

Carousels in Rhode Island Buildings and structures in Pawtucket, Rhode Island Tourist attractions in Pawtucket, Rhode Island Amusement rides introduced in 1895 {{RhodeIsland-stub