Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome, Historic carousel building on Santa Monica Pier, California, US

The Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome is a tan stucco carousel building with blue trim on the Newcomb Pier. Its front is a tall octagonal tower with arched windows on two levels and a blue cornice; a long two-story wing extends to the right with round-arched windows framed in blue, the upper ones grouped in pairs. Inside, Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel #62, built in 1922, has 44 hand-carved wooden horses.

The building was constructed in 1916 by Charles Looff and initially housed his custom-made carousel until 1939 when a different carousel was installed. This change marked a shift in the pier's role as a hub for popular entertainment.

The name hippodrome, from the Greek for horse course, refers to the carousel horses kept inside. The building opened on 12 June 1916 as the centrepiece of Charles Looff's Pleasure Pier. Scenes for the 1973 film The Sting were shot inside, and the carousel has belonged to the city since 1977.

The Hippodrome sits on the Newcomb Pier beside the Santa Monica Pier, reached on foot from the beach and the pier deck. The carousel inside has been owned by the city since 1977 and was restored between 1977 and 1981. Look for the arched windows and blue trim of the octagonal tower to find the entrance.

The Hippodrome's carousel is Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel #62, moved here from the Ocean Park Pier after Looff's original carousel was sold in 1939. The city bought the carousel in 1977 and restored it through 1981. Scenes for the 1973 film The Sting were shot inside the building.