I think it’s safe to say most of us have fond childhood memories of spinning around on a carousel. As a kid, nothing compared (for me, at least) to choosing my favorite animal and hopping on while I waited for the familiar tune to play that signaled the ride was about to begin. Hoosiers are even luckier because we have not just any carousel, but the famous Broad Ripple Park Carousel. This piece of living history has delighted Indiana children since the early 1900s, and the intricately carved animals that make it up date back even further. What makes the carousel even more special is that even though it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Indiana, it actually wasn't even built in our state - at least not the most important part (the animals). They were built in Pennsylvania sometime during the 19th century and brought to Indianapolis in the early 1900s.

Although now located in The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the Broad Ripple Park Carousel was originally installed in 1917 at White City Amusement Park. The carousel’s animals were constructed by the Dentzel Carousel Company of Philadelphia before the turn of the 20th century. Unfortunately, the building that housed the carousel collapsed in 1956, destroying a significant chunk of its inner workings — but the animals were surprisingly unharmed and put into storage. Over the years, the animals played several different roles across the city, including being used in a Christmas display at University Park. The museum acquired two horses in 1965, along with most of the remaining animals a few years later. 

While the museum originally intended to simply display the restored animals around the building, it ended up going the extra mile and restoring the entire carousel. The artifact was designated a designated a National Historic Landmark on February 27, 1987, and visitors can still ride it today.

Visit the website for the Children's Museum of Indianapolis for more information about the Broad Ripple Park Carousel. You can also check out the Children's Museum of Indianapolis Facebook page to see additional photos.

Have you ever taken a ride on this historic carousel? What are your favorite iconic landmarks in Indiana? Tell us in the comments! If you need a place to stay in town, the Conrad Indianapolis is a great choice. It's a classic Indy experience with great reviews, and you can book a room in seconds on Booking.com.