History   The Animals   The Organ   The Restoration   Scenery Panels   Carousel Christmas

Because PTC No.6 was stationary and didn't have the "excitement" of a jumper carousel...where the animals went up and down as well as around...the manufacturer made it one of the country's fastest merry-go-rounds. It twirls its riders at a breath-taking 12 mph, compared with the average carousel speed of 8 mph.

The carousel itself was manufactured in 1905 for Elitch Gardens, an amusement park in Denver. The carousel was operated at Elitch Gardens every summer until 1928, when it and the band organ were sold to Kit Carson County for $1,200 (including delivery to Burlington). The county commissioners who approved the carousel's purchase, C.J. Buchananm G.W. Huntley and I.D. Messenger, were widely criticized for this "extravagant expentiture" during hard times. As a result, Huntley did not seek re-election in 1928. Buchanan lost in the primary that year, just three weeks before the recently purchased carousel opened in Burlington for the first time. I.D. Messenger was not up for re-election in 1928, but he was defeated when he ran again two years later.

 

Forty six hand carved animals march counter-clockwise on this carousel, mounted on a 45-foot diameter platform. The 16 outside row animals are the largest. Intricate carvings range from cupids to a wooden medallion with a sculpture of an Arab sheik. One giraffe has a snake twined around its neck, and behind the saddle of a zebra is a gnome, sitting in a shell and aiming a spear at the rider's seat!

The texture of each animal's coat is faithfully detailed, and teeth, slathering tongues and hooves are carefully included. Toed animals have dewclaws, and hoofed animals are shod (even the Indian pony). There are real antlers on the deer and real horse tails on many of the horses. All of the glass eyes are of a color and expression suitable to the temperament of their animals. Hand-painted decorations can be found on each of the carousel figures; intricate flowers of varying design adorn many of the inside row animals. Saddle trappings are reminiscent of those used on cavalry mounts in the 18th Century Napoleonic Wars.

Hear the Organ!
The Waltz of the Zebras
Stars & Stripes Forever
Turkey In the Straw
The Royal Lion's March

In 1976, Kit Carson County joined the rest of the United States in celebration of America's Bicentennial. It was decided that the restoration of the carousel's band organ would became the county's Bicentennial project.

Originally advertised by Wurlitzer as "The Twentieth Century Wonder" circa 1909, the Monster contains 255 pipes, bass and snare drums and cymbal, played by Style 155 music rolls. The leaded glass windows in the front may be opened or closed to control the volume. The retail price was $3,250 in 1909. The equivalent 2001 retail cost would be more than $250,000! Only three Monster organs are known to exist, of which the Kit Carson County example, No. 2,453, is the most complete.
By 1975, the organ was in deplorable condition. Certain damage was obvious, such as the torn drum heads, missing and dented brass trumpets and trombones, and the filthy, rusty overall condition.

In February 1976 the Monster was delivered in pieces via horse trailer to renowned organ restorer Art Reblitz, in Colorado Springs. After more than 1,000 hours or work, Reblitz and his staff completed the organ in late July, just in time for the 1976 county fair. Local Craftsman Merle Worden refinished the cabinet and repaired the leaded glass windows. Since 1977, ongoing maintenance has included tuning, cleaning, tightening leather belts, making minor repairs and lubricating the organ annually.

In 1996, the decision was made to have Reblitz restore the organ as close to its original condition as possible. The restoration was completed by Reblitz, with the assistance of several other internationally-known craftsmen, in July, 1999. Today Kit Carson County's Monster plays just as it did in 1909 enabling the carousel's 46 wooden animals to march counter-clockwise to the wonderful waltzes and magnificent marches from the turn of the 19th Century.

In 1979, the Kit Carson County Carousel was designated a National Historic Site. The carousel was designated a National Historic Landmark in l987, making it one of only 19 National Landmarks in Colorado and the only one you can take for a spin!! That same year Will Morton contracted to restore the original paint to the animals, the four chariots, and the outer rim. This project was completed 18 months later. The carousel building was re-faced with siding and the area around it was landscaped with an eye for Victorian charm.

The jewel that it is, the carousel continues to operate during the warmer seasons, bringing wonder and joy to younger riders and welcome warm memories to the older ones. During the past decade, public enjoyment of the carousel has resulted in a new generation of small gouges, nicks, bruises and cracks, so a "re-restoration" of the animals was undertaken in 1992.

The original valances and cresting on the carousel when it was in Denver probably were destroyed when the carousel was dismantled in 1928 so it could be moved by train to Kit Carson County. In 1997, grants from the State Historic Fund of the Colorado Historical Society and from the Boettcher Foundation financed research, patterns and reconstruction of the valances, restoration of the carousel's original lighting, and additional restoration work on the machinery room, the moldings on the paintings, and the Wurlitzer monster Military Band Organ

In partnership with the Kit Carson County Carousel Association, National Park Service architect Rick Cronenberger completed an historical structure assessment of the building housing the famous merry-go-round in 1999. This assessment substantiated the need to undertake structural and stabilization work on the carousel building to assure it would stand another seventy-five years.

The completion of the work on the building in 2001 marked the completion of the overall restoration of the carousel which began 25 years earlier.

John Pogzeba, an art conservator from Denver, was contacted regarding restoration of the 45 oil paintings. In 1977, the oil paintings were restored by Mr. Pogzeba and by Will Morton VIII. Popular cosmopolitan scenes of the Victorian era, the paintings represent European pastoral scenes, world wonders (i. e. pyramids and sphinx), hunting, forest glen, a country cottage and various humorous subjects. Because they are painted on fragile, light cotton muslin, and because so many of them were torn and punctured, they were strengthened by attaching them to new solid panels. The cleaning, which followed, revealed the true brilliance. Most, being in fairly good condition, were simply repainted in a few areas where the painting had been harmed by punctures or minor tears. Others required more extensive restoration because of major tears or water damage. 

On the first Sunday of every December, the Kit Carson County Carousel animals are decked out in Christmas finery to help welcome the upcoming holiday season. The Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ churns out glorious Christmas carols and hot cider and cookies are served in the museum building next to the carousel. All rides, refreshments and the museum tour are free! This year, Carousel Christmas will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 on Sunday, December 2nd. The gift shop will be open for early Christmas shopping and Rudolph and Father Christmas will be present to hand out Christmas novelties to young and old alike. Dress warm!! Riding a carousel spinning at ten miles an hour in crisp winter air is a refreshing and festive experience, but a chilling one!!