Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Magical Merry-go-round
Preservation of the carousel is labor of love. Boardwalk artists repair and repaint the horses during the off-season.
The Boardwalk’s carousel was named a National Historic Monument in 1987.
The Man
Charles I.D. Looff began building carousels in 1880. By 1911, when he delivered the Boardwalk’s shining new carousel, Looff was well known for his work and it had made him wealthy. His son Arthur built the Boardwalk’s Giant Dipper roller coaster.
The Brass Ring
This carousel has one of the few remaining ring dispensers in the country. Rings once fed manually into the metal arm by a “ring boy”. The process was mechanized in 1950. The Boardwalk goes through more than 70,000 steel rings each year. Brass rings are still used on special occasions.
The Horses
All 73 were originally produced by Looff’s company.
Each horse has a real horsehair tail.
The 71 “jumpers” move up and down, the two “standers” are stationary.
The chariots ensured that ladies of the early 1900s could be modest and safe when the rode the carousel.
Erected by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.
Location. 36° 57.864′ N, 122° 1.052′ W. Marker is in Santa Cruz, California, in Santa Cruz County. Marker is at the intersection of Beach Street and Riverside Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Beach Street. This marker is near entrance #3 of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz CA 95060, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Boards (here, next to this marker); Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (a few steps from this marker); Burgers at the Beach (a few steps from this marker); Fickle Fashion (within shouting distance of this marker); Beauty and the Beach (within shouting distance of this marker); Boardwalk Goes Hollywood (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Love Story (about 400 feet away); The Santa Cruz Seaside Company (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Cruz.
More about this marker. This marker is located on the grounds of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Regarding Magical Merry-go-round. If you were lucky and skilled enough to throw the brass ring into the clowns’ mouth, you won a free ride!
Also see . . . 1911 Looff Carousel - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Looff Carousel is a National Historic Landmark and local treasure. The hand-carved merry-go-round has been turning children’s seaside dreams into golden memories since 1911. (Submitted on January 25, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 846 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4. submitted on July 9, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 5, 6. submitted on January 25, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 7, 8, 9. submitted on April 9, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 10. submitted on July 9, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.