We Bet You Didn't Know That Mississippi Was Home To One Of The Only Dentzel Carousels In The U.S.

Of all the amenities at Highland Park in Mississippi, none quite compare to the Dentzel Carousel. A unique antique, it was built over a century ago and is one of only a handful of Dentzel Carousels remaining in the U.S. It’s a rare gem, and it’s right here in Mississippi!

George Dawson/Google

Nadine B/Trip Advisor

Carousels crafted by the Dentzel Carousel Company are recognizable by their menagerie of hand-carved wooden animals and chariots. As you can imagine, building the carousels took a great deal of time, which is why the company only built about two or three carousels per year.

Advertisement

Jacob/Google

When complete, it made its debut at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. A few years later, in 1909, the city of Meridian purchased the carousel for $2,000. Today, it’s worth more than $1 million.

Advertisement

Related Stories

The Charming Small Town In Mississippi That Was Named After A Boarding School

There's A Little-Known Nature Reserve Just Waiting For Mississippi Explorers

It's Bizarre To Think That Mississippi Is Home To The World's Largest Collection Of Teddy Bears, But It's True

Jacob/Google

Riders can choose from horses, deer, antelope, giraffes, a lion, tiger, or double-seat chariots. What’s more, the carousel spins surprisingly fast.

Marie Lang (WoodzWifey)/Google

In addition to being one of only seven Dentzel Carousels left in the U.S., it’s the only two-row stationary Dentzel Carousel known to exist.

Aaron Price/Google

Built in 1909 using Dentzel blueprints, the carousel house at Highland Park is the only building of its kind still standing.

Nadine B/Trip Advisor

Operating hours for the Dentzel Carousel vary seasonally. Plus, it closes from time to time for maintenance, so make sure to check if it’s open prior to visiting. For more information on Mississippi’s Dentzel Carousel as well as Highland Park, check out the Visit Meridian website.

Highland Park isn’t the only must-visit in Meridian. There’s also Weidmann’s. Opened in 1870, it’s the oldest restaurant in Mississippi; however, that’s not its only claim to fame.