Carousel History: Syracuse NY

Syracuse has been known for its Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel #18 operating at Destiny USA’s huge mall. (Formerly Carousel Center Mall). However, most people don’t know how many carousels operated in Syracuse. In fact, Syracuse was full of carousels – from those that operated at resorts nearby on Onondaga Lake, to the ones in the center of the city. Carousels operated on previously vacant lots and at small parks. They often brought heated debates, varying from the too quiet band organ to the too loud one. Syracuse kept busy with the arrests of several carousel operators, from Sunday operation to assaults. One area of Syracuse, known as The Valley, was an area of continuous debate. Carousels were anything but ordinary in the city of Syracuse. This e-book tells the history of the carousels of the city of Syracuse and in the surrounding area (Onondaga Lake).