Kings Island's Grand Carousel undergoing major restoration

The Grand Carousel – the oldest ride at Kings Island – is being restored for the park’s 50th Anniversary season this year.

The restoration project is the latest turn in the 96-year history of the Grand Carousel. It was purchased by Cincinnati’s Coney Island in 1926 for $201,000 from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and is one of 89 carousels built by the company from 1904 to 1934, and one of the last.

Originally labelled No. 79, the Grand Carousel was one of the first rides brought to Kings Island for its opening in 1972. It features a 1918 Wurlitzer Duplex No. 165 band organ with 28 jumping horses, 20 stationary horses and originally painted with more than 20,000 sheets of 23-karat gold and 1,000 sheets of sterling silver.

During a 1937 flood, when it was in operation at Coney Island, some of the horses broke off and were swept down the river. A reward was offered for them, or pieces of them, and parts were returned from as far away as Memphis, TN.

All Around Carousels, LTD has been on site restoring the carousel horses and chariots. The project includes sanding and cleaning, cutting out bad joints, repairing hoofs and tails, replacing jewels, touching up paint and varnishing to make the ride look new.

Most of the crew working on the Grand Carousel came from the now-defunct Carousel Works in Mansfield, OH, who until their closure last year were the world’s largest wooden carousel manufacturer.

The restoration of the band organ has been led by Wayne Holton with assistance from Don Stinson and Ted Walflart. They have spent the past three months taking the machine completely apart and reassembling it.

Stinson’s name may ring a bell for long time Kings Island guests and band organ enthusiasts. He was the man that took care of the band organ during the park’s early years and built a number of them himself.

The murals on the band organ are being painted by Holley Millroy. She was one of Stinson’s artists and touched up the band organ years ago.

There is quite a bit of history with the band organ, which dates back to 1918. It was originally used on a carousel at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, and later named to the Casino Building at Asbury Park.

Paul Eakins of Sikeston, MO purchased the organ in 1964 and completely redid it. It has been shown at various Fairs and Expositions, including the great MidSouth Fair, Memphis TN; the Kentucky State Fair, Louisville, KY; and the Illinois State Fair, Springfield, IL.

Since May 1972, the band organ has made its home at Kings Island.

The Grand Carousel is a survivor of a bygone era, when thrills came in a much tamer form. As a “True Carney,” I can’t wait for our guests to hear the music pouring forth with great spirit this year.