A Carousel for Missoula, Hand-carved carousel in Missoula, Montana.
A Carousel for Missoula is a hand-carved wooden ride featuring 38 horses and two chariots positioned within a circular building near Caras Park. The animals rest on a restored 1918 frame that serves as the centerpiece of this community-built attraction.
The project started in 1991 when cabinetmaker Chuck Kaparich acquired a restored 1918 carousel frame. This original structure came from the Alan Herschell-Spillman Company and became the foundation for building the community-made attraction.
Local families shaped the carousel by adopting and designing individual horses for the ride. Each personalized pony tells a story of community members who wanted to leave their mark on the project.
The carousel sits in a circular building easily accessible from nearby Caras Park and operates throughout the year. Hours change seasonally, so checking ahead ensures you arrive when the ride is open for visitors.
The ride houses the largest band organ in continuous operation in the US, equipped with 400 wooden pipes. This remarkable mechanical instrument recreates sounds from 23 different musical instruments, creating a distinctive audio experience.
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