Watch Hill in Westerly in Washington County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 28, 2013
1. Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round Marker
Highlights of the History
• The Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round was built by the Charles Dare Company of NYC in 1867 using overstocked rocking horses
• A traveling carnival brought the Merry-Go-Round to Watch Hill in 1883 and just left it here
• Originally it was powered by 2 men turning cranks; then it was pulled by a horse; water power was installed in 1897, and in 1914 electricity took over
It is the only continuously operating and surviving flying horse Merry-Go-Round in the country
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 41° 18.551′ N, 71° 51.49′ W. Marker is in Westerly, Rhode Island, in Washington County. It is in Watch Hill. Marker is at the intersection of Bay Street and Larkin Road, on the right when traveling south on Bay Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 151 Bay Street, Westerly RI 02891, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Avondale (approx. 1.4 miles away); Battle of Stonington Monument (approx. 2.8 miles away in Connecticut); The Defenders Of The Fort (approx. 2.9 miles away in Connecticut); Thomas Howe House (approx. 3 miles away in Connecticut);
this page online
Also see . . . Flying Horse Carousel on Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 28, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 28, 2013
2. Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 28, 2013
3. Bronze Plaque on Stone Column
Placed On The
National Register
Of Historic Places
By The United States
Department Of The Interior
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 28, 2013
4. Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round
A view of the interior panels as children wait for the ride to start
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 28, 2013
5. Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round
The beautiful panels can be seen along with the chains suspending the horses from the rotating structure.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 690 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 28, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
