Highland Park Dentzel Carousel and Shelter Building

This 1896 Gustav Dentzel carousel features hand-carved poplar and basswood animals including lions, tigers, and giraffes in a two-row stationary menagerie design that remains the only surviving operational example of its kind in the United States.

Originally manufactured in 1896 by German immigrant Gustav Dentzel, the carousel was showcased at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair before being purchased by the City of Meridian in 1909 and installed in Highland Park where it has operated continuously for over a century.

The carousel represents the artistry of German-American craftsmanship and serves as a symbol of early 20th-century American amusement culture, embodying community memories and traditions that have been passed down through generations of Meridian families.

Visitors can ride the historic carousel for one dollar per person, with guided tours available for two dollars, operating seasonally with specific hours that vary throughout the year and accessible through Highland Park's facilities.

The Lucile Rosenbaum Carousel House is the only remaining structure built from an original Dentzel blueprint, making this carousel one of only eleven National Historic Landmark carousels in the United States and the sole example in the southern region.

Location: Meridian

Inception: 1880

GPS coordinates: 32.37685,-88.71861

Latest update: July 25, 2025 19:14