The Pullen Park Carousel
Matt Franz and Barrett Donohue
The Pullen Park Carousel was originally built in what is now
closed Bloomsbury Park in 1912 by the Dentzel Carousel Company of Philadelphia. Later the
carousel was moved to Pullen Park in 1921. In 1976, the carousel was added to the National
Register of Historic Sites. Since then the carousel has undergone many drastic
renovations, but there are still the hand carved rabbits, tigers, horses, and other
magical animals.
The carousel in Pullen Park is one of only two Dentzel carousels in North Carolina. The
other Dentzel Carousel in North Carolina is in Burlington City Park, Burlington, NC. These
carousels are very rare in the United States, there only sixteen operating Antique Dentzel
Carousels left. Three are preserved in museums, while others have been destroyed by harsh
use, weather and time, or lack of adequate support systems. Because of their special style
and high value, others have been put out of business because of the removal of their hand
carved figures by rich collectors.
At the time of the carousel’s construction, many things were
happening in the world. During the year of 1912, Woodrow Wilson was elected president of
the United States. Arizona and New Mexico became states of the US. Elihu Root, of the
United States, won the Nobel Peace Prize. The "Titanic" sank on her first and
last voyage after colliding with an iceberg; 1,513 people die. Wilson’s cloud-chamber
photographs lead to the discovery of protons and electrons. Jim Thorpe is the star athlete
of the Stockholm Olympic Games but his name is stricken from the record when it is
discovered that he played semi-professional baseball in 1911. And the Boston(AL) beat the
New York(NL) 4-3 to win the World Series. And last but not least, R.F. Scott discovered
the South Pole.
The history of the carousel can be traced all the way back to 1837
when Michael Dentzel traveled in horse drawn wagons with his portable hand carved machine
from fair to fair. He later sent all of his sons, who followed in footsteps, to America
from Germany. Gustav, Michael’s second oldest son, came to America in 1864 bringing
with him America’s first amusement park carousel from Germany. He worked very hard
and ended up hiring many German and Italian immigrants, who were trained in their
countries to do carvings. When these immigrants were younger they were hired to carve
statues for the churches. This craftsmanship made the Dentzel Carousel Company highly
noted for their beautiful designs. This is why the Dentzel Carousel Company is still in
business today.
1. The Dentzel Home Page Http:\\www.dentzel.com
November 20,1998
2. Graphics and Photos of the Animals, Part One
Http:\\www.dentzel\caravan\gif-g46\com\
November 29 ,1998
3. Graphics And Photos, Part Two
Http:\\www.dentzel\caravan\gif-g46\com\
November 29,1998
4. Hamilton, Joe. North Carolina And Its people
July 17,1992