San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Charles I.D. Looff
Looff came to America in 1870 at the age of 18. After settling in Brooklyn, N.Y., and being trained previously as a woodcarver in Schlesmig Holstein (then a Danish Province). His first five years in America were spent as a furniture maker by day and a carousel carver by night. Being one of the earliest of American carousel carvers and creating his first three carousels himself, he greatly influenced the styles of the other carousel companies. As an example his very first carousel was placed in Coney Island in 1876 and carried menagerie (other than horses) on board. Additionally, his early animals were the first to incorporate glass and composition ornamentation and the use of the "Bird" Saddle-back Design.
Like a true artist Looff was never satisfied to use set patterns for any length of time with only a variance of side ornamentation. His carvings were always changing with the times and his animals always fall into three distinct categories. His earliest animals (1876-1888) were sweet and gentle. His middle phase of carving (1889-1900) created some of the most elegant and well-carved animals in existence today. Horse heads were finely chiseled. Manes were intricately carved, and full figures and faces were created behind the cantle of the saddle as ornamentation. The Looff company changed its pattern of carving during its final phase of carving (1901-1918). Only then did the animals become flamboyant and highly stylized, depicting the categorization now placed upon Looff's carvings a "Coney Island" style.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 32° 42.567′ N, 117° 10.28′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. Located at the Seaport Village Carousel at Seaport Village. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. La Punta de los Muertos (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); San Diego Barracks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tuna Fleet Service, World War II (1941-1945) (approx. ¼ mile away); USS San Diego Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Clifton A. F. Sprague, Vice Admiral, USN (approx. ¼ mile away); United States Aircraft Carrier Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bridle-Arrest "Horns" (approx. 0.4 miles away); San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.
Also see . . . Seaport Village Carousel. Seaport Village website entry (Submitted on October 20, 2019, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2019, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 401 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2019, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on October 20, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on June 3, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.