The Riverview Carousel
Riverview Park: 1908-1967, Storage (Galena, IL): 1967-1971, Six Flags over Georgia: 1972-Present
Beautiful Painted Horses
Looking up at the ceiling
My grandkids really love this ride
Jerry Deagen, Six Flags over Georgia's art director, gave the carousel it's home atop a hill at Six Flags Over Georgia. The carousel has 70 horses. Over the winter and spring of 1971-1972 the carousel was meticulously restored to a pristine state. The "new" ride opened for the 1972 season in a building that harkened back to Riverview Park. It still runs at the park today in a beautiful wooded setting surrounded by rocking chairs and tall trees.
The carousel itself, P.T.C. number 17, was one of carver Leo Zoller's masterpieces. Looking at the ride today it seems like more of a museum piece than an amusement park ride. It is interesting to look at, because the outer rows are the largest and each successive horse gets smaller the closer you get to the center of the ride. The inside panels and upper outside rim are covered with gorgeous angel carvings. Most of the angels are white with gold wings and some have blue ribbons around their mid-sections. The most controversial part of the carousel was the "Lovers Chariot." It had a naked couple in each other's arms and the woman had her breasts exposed. Although tame by today's standards, when it debuted in 1908 it had to catch many an eye and resulted in many mothers putting their hands over their children's eyes. Today the carousel still spins, thrilling new generations of riders. It still is amazing to ride a creation that has been bringing enjoyment to generations of people. This carousel has stood the test of time and is arguably one of the most beautiful ever produced. It is hard to look at the ride from the bottom of the hill and not feel in awe of what you are seeing.
Park Entrance-N 33° 46.237 W 084° 33.088