Allan Herschell Company

Allan Herschell Company
Private company
Fate Merged with Chance Rides
Founded 1915
Defunct 1970
Area served
 Worldwide

The Allan Herschell Company specialized in the creation of amusement rides, particularly carousels and roller coasters. The company manufactured portable machines which could be used by traveling carnival operators. It was started in 1915 in the town of North Tonawanda, just outside Buffalo, New York, US.

History

Previous companies

Herschell, together with James Armitage, created the Armitage Herschell Company in 1873. In 1883, his son William traveled to London, England, to meet former Limonaire Frères employee Eugene de Kleist. Backed by Armitage Herschell, in 1888 De Kleist set up band organ production in North Tonawanda, founding the North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory.[1] The company produced a range of barrell-organ based products, suited for all ranges of fairground attraction.

Armitage Herschell remained in operation until the early 1900s. The company carved many portable carousels, made simple in style. Surviving steam riding galleries are located in Mississippi and Maine. In 1901, Herschell left the Armitage Herschell Company due to financial complications, thus allowing De Kliest to buy the pair out, and seek new investment from his association with Rudolph Wurlitzer.

Herschell created the Herschell Spillman Company with his in-laws, the Spillmans. Herschell Spillman started out creating and carving carousels in a traditional style, but later branching out to create larger park machines, such as elaborate carousels with many types of animals. Surviving carousels can be found in California, Michigan, and Maryland. The Herschell–Spillman Motor Company Complex at North Tonawanda was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.[2]

The company later dropped Herschell's name and was known as the Spillman Engineering Company. The company continued to make the same style of carousel, though later it focused more on horses with a few menagerie styled machines. Surviving carousels can be seen in North Carolina and the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

Allan Herschell Company

The last company Herschell created was his own, competing with the Spillman Engineering Company, in 1915. Herschell specialized in horses with rigid poses and portable machines, which enabled them to be packed and shipped easily between towns. Herschell produced over 3,000 carved wooden carousels, which were shipped all over the United States and Canada, as well as other countries such as Mexico, South Africa, and India.

The factory was bought in 1915 and is located on Thompson Street in North Tonawanda. It is one of the last factory complexes in the United States which contained the production of wooden carousels. The complex was expanded to meet the growing company's needs. The building contains a large carving shop, a woodworking shop, a paint shop, a storage area, an upholstery shop, a machine shop and a roundhouse where the carousels were assembled and tested.

Herschell didn't create just carousel rides, but expanded to include rides made for children and adults. He thought up the concept for rides specialized for small children, called "Kiddieland." Twister, Hurricane, Flying Bobs, and the Sky Wheel were thrill rides catered towards adults.

The company moved to Buffalo, New York, in the 1950s, and in 1970 it merged with rival amusement park company Chance Manufacturing of Wichita, Kansas.[3]

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, at the original factory site on Thompson Street, opened to the general public in July 1983,[4] with a full operational carousel from 1916. The first floor of the factory has been opened up to provide exhibits and demonstrations. Different programs are offered, such as woodcarving of various skill levels, guided tours, and a summer lecture series. Special programs, such as Youth Volunteer Program and Neighborhood Partners Program are offered to young people and local elementary school children.

Surviving Allan Herschell Company rides

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Carousels

Year built Carousel Location Notes Ref.
1893 Lagoon Carousel Lagoon, Farmington, Utah Listed on National Register of Historic Places; purchased by Lagoon in 1906.[5][6]
1913Noah's Ark CarouselOaks Amusement Park, Portland, OregonListed on National Register of Historic Places[7]
1913Two-Row Portable Menagerie CarouselStory City, IowaListed on National Register of Historic Places.[8]
1913 Herschell-Spillman Carousel The Henry Ford, Dearborn, MI Original location unknown, operated in Spokane, WA from 1923-1961 [9]
1913 (c.)Chavis Park Antique CarouselChavis Park, Raleigh, North Carolina[10]
1915 (c.)3-Abreast CarouselHood River, OregonFormerly at Chase Palm Park, Santa Barbara, California; relocated to Hood River in 2017. Listed on National Register of Historic Places in 1999.[11]
1918Elaine Wilson CarouselStrong National Museum of Play, Rochester, New York
1920Highland Park CarouselEndwell, New York
1920Ross Park CarouselBinghamton, New York
1920s (c.)Over-the-Jumps CarouselLittle Rock Zoo, Little Rock, Arkansas[12]
1923Allan Herschell CarouselHydro Free Fair Park, Hydro, OK[13]
1923C. Fred Johnson Park CarouselJohnson City, New York
1925Cheyenne Mountain Zoo CarouselCheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, Colorado[14]
1925George F. Johnson Recreation Park CarouselBinghamton, New York
1928 Grand Rapids Public Museum Grand Rapids, Michigan The Carousel was but in place when the museum was built in 1994.
1929West Endicott Park CarouselEndicott, New York
1930 (c.)Antique carouselPrivate residence, Sugar Grove, PennsylvaniaOwned by Diane and Louis Enos.
1930 (c.)Allan Herschell CarouselPrivate residence, Merritt Island, FloridaOriginally installed at Coney Island from its construction until 1965. Relocated to Baltimore, Maryland before being used as a traveling carousel.[15][16]
1934George W. Johnson Park CarouselEndicott, New York
1947Allan Herschell CarouselHarper Motors, Eureka, CaliforniaPurchased by dealership in 1991[17][18]
1947Smithsonian CarouselNational Mall, Washington, D.C.[19]
1949Allan Herschell CarouselJoyland Amusement Park, Wichita, Kansas
1950Scottsdale Charro CarouselMcCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Scottsdale, ArizonaFormerly owned by Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson, New Hampshire.[20][21]
1950 (c.)Stewart Park CarouselStewart Park, Ithaca, New York[16]
1951Herschell 3-Row CarouselChicago, IllinoisFormerly located at Catskill Game Farm in Catskill, New York from 1951 until 2006.[22]
1957Herschell 3-Row Travelling CarouselHyannis, MassachusettsLocated at Wackenhammer's Arcade STEAMuseum on Main Street since 1996[23]

Trains

S-24 Iron Horse 24" gauge train at Van Saun County Park in Paramus, New Jersey
  • G-12 12" inch gauge miniature train[24]
  • G-16 16" inch gauge miniature train[24]
  • S-16 1865 16" inch gauge miniature train[24]
  • S-24 Iron Horse 24" inch gauge miniature train[24]

Other rides

List of roller coasters


This lists the 31 current surviving Allan Herschell Company roller coasters. [26]

NameModelParkCountryOpenedStatusRef
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperFrasier's FrontierUnited States United StatesUnknownClosed[27]
UnknownKiddie Coaster / Little DipperDeadwoodUnited States United StatesUnknownIn Storage[28]
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperConneaut Lake ParkUnited States United States1950Operating[29]
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperMemphis Kiddie ParkUnited States United States1952Operating[30]
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperQuassy Amusement ParkUnited States United States1952Operating[31]
Little Fire BallKiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddie ParkUnited States United States1953Operating[32]
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperMidway ParkUnited States United States1956Operating[33]
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSandy Lake Amusement ParkUnited States United States1971Operating[34]
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseJoyland Amusement ParkUnited States United States1976Operating[35]
Roller Coaster
Formerly Jr. Roller Coaster		Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperMagic Forest Park
Canobie Lake Park		United States United States1985
1970 to 1984		Operating[36]
[37]
UnknownKiddie Coaster / Little DipperParque EmeMexico México1989Operating[38]
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperTuscora ParkUnited States United States1990Operating[39]
Wild KittyKiddie Coaster / Little DipperFrontier CityUnited States United States1991Removed[40]
UnknownKiddie Coaster / Little DipperGreeley County FairgroundsUnited States United States1991Operating[41]
SafariKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSheridan County FairgroundsUnited States United States1991Operating[42]
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperWallace County FairgroundsUnited States United States1991Operating[43]
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLittle AmerrickaUnited States United States1993Operating[44]
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseLittle Amerricka
Seven Peaks Water Park Duneland		United States United States1993
Unknown		Operating[45]
[46]
Little LeaperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLakemont ParkUnited States United States1993Closed[47]
Renegade
Formerly L'il Renegade		Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperSouthern Adventures
Sertoma Playland		United States United States1999
Unknown		Operating[48]
[49]
Swing's Safari Express
Formerly Roller Coaster 		Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperShining Waters Family Fun Park
Burlington Amusement Park		Canada Canada2007
1960 to 2005		Operating[50]
[51]
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperAmusement Park Drive In
Family Funland		United States United States2009
2001 to 2005		Closed[52]
[53]
Monster MouseWild Mouse / Monster MouseAmusement Park Drive In
Family Funland		United States United States2009
2001 to 2005		Closed[54]
[55]
Run Away Mine Cars
Formerly Chicken Express		Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperDonley's Wild West Town
High Hopes Orchard
Bayville Adventure Park		United States United States2010
2002 to 2005
2000 to 2001		Operating[56]
[57]
[58]
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperBlue Mountain Go KartsCanada Canada2012Operating[59]
Wild Kitty
Formerly Cactus Coaster
Formerly Tombstone Tumbler
Formerly Great Chase
Formerly Wild Kitten		Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperFrontier City
Elitch Gardens		United States United States2013
1995 to 2012		Operating[60]
[61]
RangeKiddie Coaster / Little DipperYesterLand FarmUnited States United States2013Operating[62]
Western TrainKiddie Coaster / Little DipperL'ile Aux EnfantsFrance France2013Operating[63]
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperHuck Finn's Playland
Hoffman's Playland		United States United States2015
1960 to 2014		Operating[64]
[65]
Lil Dipper Roller Coaster
Formerly Little Dipper		Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperSluggers & Putters
LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park		United States United States2015
Unknown		Operating[66]
[67]
Roller Coaster
Formerly Kiddie Roller Coaster 		Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperHoward's Apples Farm Market
Dover Lake Waterpark		United States United States2016
1994 to 2005		Operating[68]
[69]
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperCedar Valley's Wild Frontier Fun Park
Holland Speedway
Long Point Park		United States United States2017
1991 to 2016
1950 to 1990		Operating[70]
[71]
[72]

References

  1. ↑ Tim Trager (20 April 2008). "Some History on Limonaire Freres And Its Famous Band Organs". Carousel News. Retrieved 20 April 2008.
  2. ↑ "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 6/17/13 through 6/21/13. National Park Service. 2013-06-28.
  3. ↑ Chance, Harold (2004). The Book of Chance. Wichita, Kansas: Wichita Press. p. 31. ISBN 0-9649065-0-3.
  4. ↑ "The Museum - Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum". carrouselmuseum.org.
  5. ↑ "Lagoon's carousel is a classic". DeseretNews.com. 2003-07-11. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
  6. ↑ "UT – Lagoon Park – Ca. 1900 Herschell-Spillman Menagerie". CarouselHistory.com. 2014-12-23. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
  7. ↑ "Oregon National Register List" (PDF). Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. October 19, 2009. p. 34. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  8. ↑ James E. Jacobsen. "Herschel-Spillman Two-Row Portable Menagerie Carousel". National Park Service. Retrieved February 6, 2017. with photos
  9. ↑ "Herschell-Spillman Carousel - The Henry Ford". www.thehenryford.org. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  10. ↑ "Chavis Park Carousel". Raleigh Historic District. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  11. ↑ Skinner, Jean (July 25, 1999). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Allan Herschell 3-Abreast Carousel". National Park Service. Retrieved January 23, 2014. Accompanied by photos.
  12. ↑ "NRHP nomination for Herschell-Spillman Carousel" (PDF). Arkansas Preservation. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Hydro Free Fair". Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Historic Carousel". Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  15. ↑ "History: ALLEN HERSCHELL CARROUSEL". Funshine Amusements. Archived from the original on 2018-03-30. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  16. 1 2 "Index of North American Carousels". National Carousel Association. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Harper Motors is a Ford, Kia dealer selling new and used cars in Eureka, CA". www.harpermotors.com.
  18. ↑ "National Carousel Association - Census of North American Carousels". carousels.org.
  19. ↑ Toda, Mitch (April 11, 2013). "A Favorite - The Smithsonian Carousel". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  20. ↑ "McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park - Scottsdale Charro Carousel". Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  21. ↑ "National Carousel Association". Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Herschell 3-Row From Catskill Farm". Antique Carousels. Archived from the original on 2018-03-30. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  23. ↑ Antique Carousels http://antiquecarousels.com/product/herschell-3-row-from-catskill-game-farm/. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. 1 2 3 4 Sayre, Dave. "Iron Horse, The Allan Herschell S-24 train". www.arizonaandpacificrr.com.
  25. 1 2 "Operating Classic Amusement Park Rides". National Amusement Park Historical Association. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  26. ↑ Allan Herschell Company - rcdb.com
  27. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Frasier's Frontier)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  28. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Unknown  (Deadwood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  29. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Conneaut Lake Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  30. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Memphis Kiddie Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  31. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Quassy Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  32. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Fire Ball  (Kiddie Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  33. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Midway Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  34. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Sandy Lake Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  35. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Mad Mouse  (Joyland Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  36. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Magic Forest Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  37. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Jr. Roller Coaster  (Canobie Lake Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  38. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Unknown  (Parque Eme)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  39. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Tuscora Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  40. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Wild Kitty  (Frontier City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  41. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Unknown  (Greeley County Fairgrounds)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  42. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Safari  (Sheridan County Fairgrounds)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  43. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Wallace County Fairgrounds)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  44. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Little Amerricka)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  45. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Mad Mouse  (Little Amerricka)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  46. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Mad Mouse  (Seven Peaks Water Park Duneland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  47. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Leaper  (Lakemont Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  48. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Renegade  (Southern Adventures)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  49. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Unknown  (Sertoma Playland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  50. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Swing's Safari Express  (Shining Waters Family Fun Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  51. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Burlington Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  52. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Amusement Park Drive In)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  53. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Family Funland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  54. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Monster Mouse  (Amusement Park Drive In)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  55. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Monster Mouse  (Family Funland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  56. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Run Away Mine Cars  (Donley's Wild West Town)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  57. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Chicken Express  (High Hopes Orchard)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  58. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Unknown  (Bayville Adventure Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  59. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Blue Mountain Go Karts)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  60. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Wild Kitty  (Frontier City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  61. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Cactus Coaster  (Elitch Gardens)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  62. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Range  (YesterLand Farm)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  63. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Western Train  (L'ile Aux Enfants)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  64. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Huck Finn's Playland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  65. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Hoffman's Playland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  66. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Lil Dipper Roller Coaster  (Sluggers & Putters)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  67. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  68. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster  (Howard's Apples Farm Market)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  69. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Kiddie Roller Coaster  (Dover Lake Waterpark)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  70. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Cedar Valley's Wild Frontier Fun Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  71. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Unknown  (Holland Speedway)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  72. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Little Dipper  (Long Point Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
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