This Carousel Was Actually Built In Kansas, Dismantled, And Brought To Oregon

Do you remember the Jantzen Beach Carousel? This historic carousel was on Hayden Island in Portland for decades but it closed and disappeared in 2012. If you were wondering, you'll be happy to know that this carousel was rescued by Restore Oregon, but now it's looking for a new home and location - and that new home and location will be revealed in September of 2023. Read on to learn more.

Originally built in 1904 by C.W. Park in Abilene, Kansas, this beautiful carousel was first used for the St. Louis World's Fair that year. It was then moved to Venice Beach, California, where it operated from 1921 to 1928.

It came to Portland in 1928 to be part of the Jantzen Beach Amusement Park, where it was loved until the park closed in 1970. The carousel continued to operate in Jantzen Beach until 2012.

When the mall expansion happened, the mall stored the carousel for a while, but then it was sold. For some time, the public didn't know where it was.

In 2017, the public learned that the carousel had been donated to Restore Oregon.

Restore Oregon is an incredible organization that works in our great state to save and restore historic buildings and places.

Since Restore Oregon got its hands on the carousel, much restoration work has been done.

The organization has repainted the carousel and has repaired many things that were broken.

The attention to detail in this restoration is impressive.

There is still a lot of restoration to be done, though. Restore Oregon did a lot of work and set up a preservation plan. The next step is to find a place that is willing to take on the rest of this project and to give the carousel a new and permanent home.

Restore Oregon has been accepting applications from places all over Oregon to find a city or organization that will take the carousel, complete the restoration, and put it back into operation for the people of Oregon.

On September 15, 2023, Restore Oregon plans to announce the new home for this carousel. Someday - hopefully soon - we will all be able to ride it once again.

Many more generations will be able to enjoy it.

Although the entire carousel is not currently up and running, you can see some of the restoration work at the Jantzen Beach Carousel exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society. It will run through September 24, 2023 - and by then, we will know where the carousel is headed next!  The Astorian newspaper has suggested that Astoria will be the carousel's new home, but we'll wait for the official announcement to be sure. Time will tell. But, no matter where it ends up - MANY thanks to Restore Oregon for saving this incredible piece of Oregon history.

Looking for more cool stories about the history of Oregon? Check out our History in Oregon page for more!