Brooklyn is home to many historic carousels. New Yorkers and tourists alike are familiar with Jane’s Carousel in Dumbo, Brooklyn. The carousel was created in 1922 and was housed in Ohio, before coming to Brooklyn. The carousel has 48 horses and was restored for Dumbo in 1984. After years of restoration, the carousel opened to the public in 2011.

Coney Island, the largest amusement park in New York City, was home to various carousels throughout the 20th century. The Feltman Pavilion’s carousel was built in 1903 by William Mangles and Marcus Illions. The carousel was a popular attraction to locals and tourists alike. Like many other carousels in the area, the horses had unique features. According to the Coney Island History Project, “Coney-Island style horses have very animated expressions and wind-blown manes that frequently are painted gold for emphasis.” These horses, therefore, stood out and attracted both children and adults alike.

Mangles and Illions, with the help of Charles Carmel, also built the B\&B carousel in 1906. This carousel, along with others in Prospect Park and Flushing Meadows Park, were run by James McCullough and his family. The carousel is also nicknamed after the McCullough family.

Carmel also helped create the carousel that is now located in Prospect Park. The original carousel was built in 1874 and was run by actual horses. A second carousel was also built.

Unfortunately, it only lasted until 1935 when it was burnt down. The current carousel, which was originally built for Coney Island, was moved to Prospect Park in 1952.

Queens’ Flushing Meadow Park is also home to another historic carousel. The Feltman carousel, and another carousel run by the McCullough family in Coney Island, were merged for the New York World’s Fair in 1964.

This double carousel was one of the main attractions at the fair and had a total of 76 horses to choose from. Today, the carousel currently sits in Flushing Meadows Park and continues to attract visitors from around the world.

Manhattan’s most famous carousel is in Central Park. The original Central Park carousel was powered by horses and mules. According to the Central Park website, “A mule or horse walked in a hidden compartment underground below the attraction. The animals were trained to start and stop with a foot tap from the ride’s operator above ground.” This carousel operated until 1924 and was eventually replaced by a steam powered carousel. The carousel that is there today was created in 1908 for Coney Island, and it was brought over to Central Park in 1950.

This Bronx Carousel is a mystery. Located in what was once Lohbauer Park in the Throgs Neck/Pelham Bay section, the details of the carousel are obscure. Lohbauer Park was named after Frederick Lohbauer who used the land as a resort. The carousel was most likely an attraction for his guests. The family gave up the land in 1908 and it was then divided into smaller plots. Built in 1898, little is known about the actual carousel.

Finally, Staten Island is home to a carousel that was built in 1999. With over 51 different animals and mystical creatures, it also contains various handmade paintings of historic sites and scenes on Staten Island. All these carousels are unique in their own way. The precise details and craftsmanship of each of them gives a unique history about how people in the five boroughs have been entertained by them throughout the years. As the carousels have evolved over time, they are still a classic form of entertainment. Next time you’re near one of these carousels, check it out and go for a ride! Think about all the hard work that went into making them and where they came from. They connect us to the past and still allow us to have fun in the present!