With the stressful hustle and bustle of our daily lives, many of us have wished that things could be simpler...slower...sweeter. We often let the duldrums of daily life grind away at our fondest childhood memories, perhaps not even realizing it at the time. But the sweet memories of yesterday are everywhere, if you pause long enough to recognize them.
One of the best examples I can think of is the Kit Carson County Carousel, in Burlington, Colorado. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Burlington? Where the heck is that?" I'll admit, gentle readers, that Burlington is a bit out of the way, especially considering that I typically write about destinations here on the Western Slope. But I can guarantee you that this particular destination, in the sleepy little town of Burlington is totally, 100% worth the drive.
Burlington is located on the Eastern Slope of Colorado, just a few miles away from the Kansas border. It's surrounded by wheat fields and miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles. It's an easy drive from Glenwood Springs. Just get on I-70, and stay there for approximately 5 hours, and you will find yourself in Burlington. The carousel is located at the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds, near downtown.
An Antique That You Can Ride
The Kit Carson County Carousel is a living, breathing work of art; an antique that you can ride on; and part of a very limited, very special collective of original carousels. Did you know that of the 4000 carousels that were made from the turn of the century to about 1930, only 150 or so of the original handcrafted machines have survived till today? That alone should be reason for you to want to pack up the kids and head to Burlington!
The carousel at Burlington originally resided in Denver, at Elitch Gardens. Built in 1905, the carousel is what is referred to as a "stationary" machine, because the animals do not go up and down. This carousel is also very special, because it is a "menagerie", meaning that it features a variety of animals, not just horses. It stayed in Denver until 1928, when a "jumper" carousel was purchased to take it's place. "Jumper" carousels featured horses that went up and down, and proved to be quite popular with visitors.
So the carousel found a new home in Burlington, Colorado. "The essential to budget travel is to prepare onward. When it occurs to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved trips and/or going to see new spots we have never been before, the truth of cost and budgeting is often in the back of our thoughts. Arranging and expending our travel budget correctly is a consideration for most families. Lowering consuming and costs, while still experiencing your vacation to its fullest, is the key to confirmed accomplishment and fiscal liability. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The reasoning behind saving money while vacationing is simple: Even if your personal budget is really limited, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or leaving the homestead! Also keeping in mind that while traveling, regardless of whether on a resources or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a huge vacation or travel charge!..". At the time, the townsfolk critisized county commissioners for making such an extrvagant purchase (they purchased it for the sum of $1,200). Over the years, the carousel has seen many hard times, including being buried under hundreds of pounds of grain, when the building it was housed in was used for a grain storage during the Depression. In 1987, the carousel was named as a National Historic Landmark, and that same year, a restoration of the carousel began, and contiued in small increments, for the next 25 years.
Today, the carousel boasts a fully refurbished 12-sided building, that houses and protects it from the weather. All of the animals still have their original paint, as do the scenery panels. It is the only carousel in America to have that. It is also the only surviving menagerie carousel built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. It is fondly called "PTC No.6", short for Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel 6.
There is plenty to see when you visit PTC 6. There is a museum that has lots of displays and information, so that you can learn all about how the carousel animals are carved, how the organ that supplies the music works, and the history of this beautiful piece of American history, including a fascinating story about how some of the animals were stolen, but eventually returned home to Burlington. Please visit the carousel's website, for everything you need to know about hours, driving directions, and lots of other fun facts and information!
Carousels are a reflection of a by-gone era. They can carry us back to our fondest childhood memories. If you are passionate about them like I am, then please consider joining the National Carousel Association. It is an organization that helps protect these beautiful machines, for future generations. They send out a lovely quarterly magazine, with wonderful color photos and gobs of information on all things related to carousels. You can join by visiting their membership page here.
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