Merry-Go-Round (Wonderland Entertainment Park)
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Merry-Go-Round, also referred to as Carousel, was a Carousel previously located at Wonderland Entertainment Park in Gautier, Mississippi, USA. It originally operated at Palace Amusements in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA.[1] The ride is currently in storage in New Jersey.[1]
History
The ride opened in 1901 at Palace Amusements and replaced a former carousel, Merry-Go-Round.[1]
The ride was damaged by a fire in 1910. Repairs were performed by William Mangels.[1] It was expanded to four rows and a jumping mechanism was added.[1] The ride also converted to electrical power.[1]
The ride was damaged by another fire in 1942.[1] 14 animals were destroyed.[1] Park owners scavenged dismantled carousels for replacement animals, including a carousel from Revere Beach in Revere, Massachusetts, USA.[1]
After the park's closure, the ride's pieces were auctioned off.[1] Its operating mechanism, as well some of the original wooden horses and the park's Ferris Wheel, were sold to Wonderland Entertainment Park. It operated until the park closed in 1998.[1] The carousel was bought by New Jersey real estate developer William Sitar and returned to his state, where it was put in storage.[1]
Dan Horenberger, owner of Brass Ring Carousel Co. in Sun Valley, California, USA, worked with Sitar to try and sell the ride in 2014.[2] The ride was listed on eBay for $250,000 USD or best offer.[2]