Riverfront Park Carousel
Riverfront Park Carousel or Looff Carousel | |
 | |
| Location | Riverfront Park Spokane, Washington |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Spokane |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Charles I. D. Looff |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001362 |
| Added to NRHP | September 19, 1977 |
The Riverfront Park Carrousel, also known as the Looff Carrousel and the Natatorium Park , is a carrousel in Spokane, Washington, built in 1909 by Charles I. D. Looff as a gift for Looff's daughter Emma Vogel and her husband Louis Vogel, who owned Natatorium Park in Spokane.[1] It remained at the park until 1968 when the park closed. The was relocated to its present location at Riverfront Park in 1975 where it continues to operate.[2][3] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 19, 1977.[4]
The still contains its original 1900 Ruth & Sohn band organ, which plays 87 key B.A.B. rolls, lthough due to deteriorating player rolls, a digitized recording is played during the 's operation.[3] The organ was manufactured in Waldkirch, Germany and imported by Looff around 1900.
The contains 54 horses, 1 giraffe, 1 tiger, 1 goat and 2 chariots, all hand carved by Looff himself. It also has a ring dispenser that allows the outside riders to grab a ring during each pass and then toss the ring at a clown with a hole for his mouth. If the rider is successful in capturing the brass ring, he or she can turn it in to win a free ride on the carousel.[5]
Pop culture
The TV sitcom Frasier makes reference to the carousel, calling it simply "the Looff", in the season 9 episode "Frasier has Spokane".
References
- ^ Spokane's Natatorium Park - The 1909 Looff Carrousel
- ^ Rivefront Park - Attractions - Looff Carrousel
- ^ a b National Carousel Association - Census Entry
- ^ Patsy M. Garrett (1976). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Natatorium Carousel" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-12-08.
- ^ The Spokane Antique Carrousel Society - Information
External links
- Riverfront Parks Loof , all lit up for the U.S. National Figureskating Championships.
- Riverfront Park , Spokane, Washington
- A sunset view of the Loof during the Christmas season, in December 2008
47°39′38.42″N 117°25′12.99″W / 47.6606722°N 117.4202750°W
| Topics | |
|---|---|
| Lists by state |
|
| Lists by insular areas | |
| Lists by associated state | |
| Other areas | |
| Related | |
- National Register of Historic Places in Spokane, Washington
- Culture of Spokane, Washington
- Carousels in Washington (state)
- Visitor attractions in Spokane, Washington
- Buildings and structures in Spokane, Washington
- Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state)
- Amusement rides introduced in 1909
- Carousels on the National Register of Historic Places