Merry-Go-Round at Holyoke Heritage State Park - Holyoke, MA
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 42° 12.284 W 072° 36.461
18T E 697495 N 4675278
The "merry-go-round" as it is called here, once operating at the amusement pavillion on the slope of nearby Mt. Tom, is now operating in an octagonal building within a heritage state park in downtown Holyoke.
Waymark Code: WMC139
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 07/12/2011
Views: 5
In Holyoke, in the Holyoke Heritage State Park, is an octagonal building that houses the "merry-go-round" as it is called there. This carousel is in operating condition and is open for rides.
From the web site:
"The merry-go-round sports 48 hand-carved wooden horses. Twenty of those are "standers" and the rest are "jumpers." The ride platform is 48 feet in diameter. The wooden centerpost that supports the ride is 32 feet high. The entire ride weighs about 14 tons. There are 850 colored lights, 98 antique beveled mirrors and 56 hand-painted scenery panels. The building itself is 85 feet in diameter and 52 feet high."
The carousel was made by the Philadelphia Tobbagan Company (PTC) around 1929 (#80) and installed in Mountain Park on Mount Tom, about five miles from Holyoke. When the park was closed in 1987, the merry-go-round was up for sale. At that time, the John Hickey, then head of the Holyoke Water Power Company had offered to purchase it for $875,000 for the purpose of keeping it within the city of Holyoke. People banded together as the Friends of the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round raised the sufficient funds and purchased it. An architect rebuilt the old pavillion at the Holyoke Heritage State Park and rebuilt the carousel in it. On December 7, 1993, the carousel was opened at its new site for rides.
Holyoke may not be the prettiest city when you drive in, but the location is safe - especially since the police station is at the entrance to the park. The park is located at 221 Appleton Street, off state route 141, Dwight Street.
Carousel Location: Neighborhood Park
Is the Carousel operational?: Yes
Does the Music work?: Unknown
Cost to ride:
$1
Hours of Operation:
September through June: Saturday & Sunday from noon to 4pm
July & August: Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30-4pm; Sunday Noon-4pm
Closed Mondays
Related Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Please include a photo of your self at the location or a picture of your favorite animal on that carousel.
If you are lucky enough to take a ride on your visit, tell us what animal you rode.
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