Today, the Carousel is housed in the original 1928 building. Music is provided by an 1909 Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ that was also apart of the original purchase in 1928.A 12 sided cupola sits atop the building and when all 12 doors are open, the building is completely open.
The Carousel features 46 hand carved animals that have been restored to their original paint that march counter-clockwise on the carousel. The animals on the carousel remain stationary, however to add excitement, the manufacturer made it one of the country’s fastest merry-go-rounds, excelling up to a speed of 12 mph.
The animals have intricate carvings, detailed coats, real antlers on the deer and real horse tails on many of the horses. Hand-painted decorations can be found on each of the carousel figures and saddle trappings are reminiscent of those used on cavalry mounts. There are 4 chariots to accommodate riders who would rather not climb onto an animal.
In 1987, the Kit Carson County Carousel was designated a National Historic Landmark, one of only 19 in Colorado. This same year, restoration of the original paint of the animals, chariots, and outer carousel rim began.
A decade later, the task of re-restoring the Carousel to its original condition began. During this time, the back of each chariot, which has an original painted landscape,and the 45 original oil paintings were also restored. The completion of re-restoration of the carousel in 2001 finalized the overall restoration of the carousel that had begun 25 years prior.
If You Go
The Carousel and Carousel Museum is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Kit Carson County Carousel & Museum
815 North 15 Street Burlington, CO 80807 (719) 346-5941www.kitcarsoncountycarousel.com
Photos & Information Courtesy of Kit Carson County Carousel