~Paragon Carousel Chariot~

Hull, Mass.


After a major fire at Paragon Park in Hull, a new

large, elaborate carousel, PTC #85, was installed in 1928.
It was the 85th out of 89 carousels created by
the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, renowned maker
of hand-carved carousels in the Philadelphia, or realistic, style.
(Toboggan meant roller coaster)

PTC #85 included two rare Roman Chariots; each
pulled by two horses, carved by the Dentzel
Company, founder of the Philadelphia style, and
purchased when the last of the Dentzels died.
Its scalloped canopy was one of the most beautiful ever constructed for carousel.


In 1984 Paragon Park was sold for condominium development.
Local activists persuaded the developer to
purchase the carousel.

A year later, when the developer decided to sell
it, three investors were found to rescue it at a
dramatic auction, while the MDC agreed to provide
space for it at the heart of Nantasket Beach,
just a half-block from its original location.

The three investors relocated the carousel with its original building
(the move made Ripley's "Believe It or Not") to
this new prominent location, reinstalled a
Wurlitzer band organ, and began restoring the horses to their original paint colors.
Twenty-four of the horses have been restored to date.

Click On Picture For More Carousel Music




Ten years later, when the business interests of
the three investors changed, the carousel was
again put on the market in August, 1995 with a
deadline of two months to raise $1.1 million
before it would once more be committed to auction.

A group of people came together, many of who had
been working to revitalize Hull for years.
They formed The Friends of the Paragon Carousel, Inc.

When significant funds were raised by Nov. 1, the
owners agreed to give the Friends additional time
to secure financing before signing with an auction house.
Eventually the Friends secured funding through
loans, grants, and a reduction in price to be
able to sign final papers for the carousel's
purchase allowing it to open for the 1996 season,
the last carousel in the Boston metropolitan area.



The fundraising efforts for the Carousel continue.
If you would like to Invest in a Legend, make contributions to: "Friends of the Paragon Carousel", make a note on your check that you are a
"Cyber-Friend of the Carousel."

Mail to:

Cyber Friend of the Carousel
POST OFFICE BOX 100
HULL, MA  02045
PHONE...(781)-925-0472




A FEW INTERESTING CAROUSEL LINKS



National Carousel Assoc.

The Carousel Network

Carousel Classified

Carousel Post Cards From Carousel Classified

Classic Carousel Horse Collection

Round n' Round E-zine

Herschell Factory Museum




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