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All the United States Iowa Story City Story City Carousel

Story City Carousel

This hand-carved wooden carousel in the Story City North Park was built in 1913.

Story City, Iowa

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Kaylee Phillips Wellik
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The Story City Carousel   Channone Arif/CC BY 2.0
The Story City Carousel   Channone Arif/CC BY 2.0
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About

The oldest carousel in Iowa features animals from pigs and roosters to dogs (with the classic horse as well) and a spinning tub if you need some more movement. The ride was built in 1913 by the Herschell-Spillman Company, which was known for its elaborate carousels and other amusement park rides.

The carousel was originally owned by P.T. Gifford, who toured the Iowa countryside bringing the ride to county fairs and town celebrations. In 1938, the Story City Greater Community Congress purchased the carousel from Gifford. During a restoration in 1982, the carousel was repainted by hand and moved from a parking lot near main street to its current permanent location. A map inside the building shows all the places from around the world that people came from to see this site.

The site in the North Park is run by volunteers from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It still spins to the old music generated by a 1936 Wurlitzer Military Band organ that is located in the center of the carousel. Every so often volunteers have to rewind to start it again.

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Carousels Amusement Parks Engineering

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The carousel starts running in early summer, and has limited hours. Check the website or Facebook page for hours and other information.

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kkwellik

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Michelle Cassidy, brettm13

  • Michelle Cassidy
  • brettm13

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June 3, 2021

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  • https://www.traveliowa.com/destination/story-city-antique-carousel/6987/
  • https://storycitygcc.org/carousel/
  • https://www.facebook.com/SCAntiqueCarousel
Story City Carousel
700 Grove Ave
Story City, Iowa, 50248
United States
42.188514, -93.588108
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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iowa

Iowa

United States

Places 74
Stories 10

Nearby Places

Grant Wood Murals

Ames, Iowa

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iowa

Iowa

United States

Places 74
Stories 10

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