* The Carousel's Builder * * Major Features * * Size and Weight * Name * * Our Fair Carousel, Inc. *

Getting There About the Carousel History Restoration Getting Involved About the Band Organ About America's Carousels News Photos	Who Built the Carousel?... Cafesjian's Carousel was built in 1914 by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. It is known as PTC 33 because it is the 33rd machine they made. The company employed German immigrants to do most of the carving and painting. The word "toboggan" in the company name is an old term for roller-coaster, which was the company's original product. Size and Weight...The carousel is 50 feet across at the platform and 54 feet at the upper rim. It weighs 30 tons, all of which is supported by the center pole. The Carousel's Name...The carousel is named for Gerard L. Cafesjian, the man who contributed the major share of the money needed to rescue it from auction, restore it and build its new pavilion. Owner/Operator...The non-profit community-based organization Our Fair Carousel, Inc., owns and operates Cafesjian's Carousel. For more information... browse this site and see especially the sections on the history of the carousel and on restoring the carousel.		Major Features... 4 rows of horses, called jumpers because they go up and down as the carousel turns 68 horses and 2 chariots, all hand-carved (3 horses were carved by Charles Carmel, the rest by PTC carvers) Fancy trappings such as saddle blankets, flowers and western motifs on each horse 18 scenic paintings around the upper part of the carousel, created by volunteer artists to represent the style and subject matter of the original paintings, which were damaged by fire in 1939) A fully restored Wurlitzer 153 band organ (it replaces the original band organ which was also destroyed by fire in 1939)
This site is maintained by Our Fair Carousel, Inc., not-for-profit owner and operator of Cafesjian's Carousel, 1245 Midway Parkway, St. Paul, Minnesota 55103